In 'Lucky Fish,' Aimee Nezhukumatathil invites readers on a vivid journey through the interconnectedness of nature, culture, and personal growth. With the metaphor of a lucky fish, she explores themes of resilience and the beauty found in life's fleeting moments. Each poem is a celebration of the small wonders that impact our lives, from the ocean's depths to the intimacy of our everyday experiences. Nezhukumatathil's lyrical voice captivates as it weaves together rich imagery, evoking a sense of both nostalgia and hope. This collection will leave readers pondering the hidden blessings that swim beneath the surface of their own lives.
By Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Published: 2011
"In the gentle embrace of nature, we discover the threads that connect us to each other, reminding us that every small moment holds the potential for profound beauty."
From Publishers Weekly: Nezhukumatathil's fourth book is fascinated with the small mechanisms of being, whether natural, personal, or imagined. Everything from eating eels in the Ozark mountains to the history of red dye finds a rich life in her poems. At times her lush settings and small stories are reminiscent of fairy tales ("The frog who wanted to see the sea was mostly disappointed"), while at others Nezhukumatathil speaks with resonance and fierceness: "The center of my hands boiled/ with blossoms when we made a family. I would never flee that garden. I swear to/ you here and now: If I ever go missing, know that I am trying to come home." Even as the poems jump from the Philippines to India to New York, they still take their time, stopping to notice that "there is no mystery on water/ greater than the absence of rust," and to draw small but wonderful parallels: "I loved you dark & late. The crocus have found ways to push up & say this/ too."
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“In the gentle embrace of nature, we discover the threads that connect us to each other, reminding us that every small moment holds the potential for profound beauty.”
Lucky Fish
By Aimee Nezhukumatathil
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Aimee Nezhukumatathil is a celebrated poet and essayist, known for her lyrical and vivid imagery that draws on her cultural heritage and the natural world. Her notable works include the poetry collections 'Oceanic,' which won the 2018 James Laughlin Award, and 'What Is the Grass,' as well as the essay collection 'World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments.' Nezhukumatathil's writing often weaves together themes of nature, identity, and the interconnectedness of life, inviting readers to experience the beauty of both the mundane and the extraordinary.
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