After an accident which left Colby’s wrist severely fractured, she pondered the word “broke,” resulting in a marvelous chapbook of poems that explore breaking and brokenness from a variety of perspectives. The chapbook consists of 33 poems, without titles. The contents page lists each poem by its first line. This juxtaposes the brokenness with a sense of continuity.
Colby is known for her wonderful images, metaphors and similes. Her word choices are precise and evocative. “Bones blossoming with the/ chrysanthemums of fracture” describes a broken hip. A beach scene begins with “The sun broke through the clouds/ and day was conceivable, /magenta hemmed in gold.” In talking about the Liberty Bell, Colby describes a physical break, and segues into a broad metaphorical one.
First strike of the clapper
cracked the rim. Omen of the split
defined by Jefferson and Adams
widening into a civil war.
Colby’s wow factor increases with the final line of the final poem, which echoes a symbol on the incredible cover artwork. The poem, on the surface, describes treatment for a broken kneecap.
The X ray shows
a figure eight within a square-
the symbol for extinction.
Nina Bennett
Colby is known for her wonderful images, metaphors and similes. Her word choices are precise and evocative. “Bones blossoming with the/ chrysanthemums of fracture” describes a broken hip. A beach scene begins with “The sun broke through the clouds/ and day was conceivable, /magenta hemmed in gold.” In talking about the Liberty Bell, Colby describes a physical break, and segues into a broad metaphorical one.
First strike of the clapper
cracked the rim. Omen of the split
defined by Jefferson and Adams
widening into a civil war.
Colby’s wow factor increases with the final line of the final poem, which echoes a symbol on the incredible cover artwork. The poem, on the surface, describes treatment for a broken kneecap.
The X ray shows
a figure eight within a square-
the symbol for extinction.
Nina Bennett
