The Archaeology of Negative Space - by Janet Wildung (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this stunning collection, Janet Wildung plumbs the negative space within all of us, the intricate archaeology of grief. These taut, exquisitely fashioned poems examine the full range of human emotion, exploring, within the overall context of pain, moments of unexpected joy as well as devastation wrought by irreversible loss, in this case, that of the poet's beloved life partner. But while the book is built upon a foundation of sorrow and moves inexorably from light into darkness, it is ultimately life-affirming, demonstrating as it does the transcendence of love even when confronting the irrefutable finality of death.

Review Quotes

"True to its title, The Archaeology of Negative Space is a book that digs deep, unearthing multiple layers of loss, grief, and unexpected redemption. Many years in the making, it displays in abundance the poet's sure hand, careful craft, and profound knowledge of life. Her language is at once lush and sobering, consistently gorgeous without ever seeming overwrought or forced. She has real wisdom to impart, having survived the death of a soul mate and, through the healing power of poetry itself, transmuted her pain into art. The world is richer for the existence of these poems. This is a book to be read, reread, and treasured."

-Robert Lavett Smith, author of Sturgeon Moon and Calamity



"Janet Wildung's poetry puts me in mind of Mary Oliver's. The voice is clear and (deceptively) simple, yet always fully attentive, fully attuned -both to the intrinsic music of the language, and the resonances of meaning in each deftly chosen moment of time and memory rendered for us. You won't need any more words than you're given here, but you'll savor every single one of them."

-Ryan Guth, author of Home Truths and Body and Soul