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Next Door to the Dead: A Haunting Exploration of Loss and Remembrance in Appalachian Elegy

Ken Simmons

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Published in Next Door To The Dead: Poems (Kentucky Voices)

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Next Door To The Dead: Poems Of Loss And Remembrance From Appalachian Kentucky Next Door To The Dead: Poems (Kentucky Voices)

In the heart of Appalachia, where the Blue Ridge Mountains cast long shadows and the winds whisper tales of a bygone era, a new collection of poems emerges—a poignant and evocative testament to the complexities of loss and the resilience of the human spirit. "Next Door to the Dead: Poems of Loss and Remembrance from Appalachian Kentucky" is a profound exploration of memory, grief, and the unbreakable bonds that connect us to those who have passed on.

Next Door to the Dead: Poems (Kentucky Voices)

by Kathleen Driskell

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	261 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	102 pages
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The Voices of Loss and Resilience

Editor Robert Gipe has gathered a diverse group of contemporary Appalachian poets whose voices resonate with raw emotion and profound insight. Each poem in this anthology is a testament to the power of language to capture the complexities of grief and the indomitable spirit of those who have experienced loss.

Wendell Berry, one of Appalachia's most celebrated literary figures, contributes a moving elegy to his wife, Tanaya, who died unexpectedly. In "Her Bones," Berry grapples with the sudden absence of his beloved, his words echoing the depths of his sorrow:

"I will not speak of dying, / I will not think of dying, / I will dance with my wife again / Under the constellations."

Jascha Kessler, another prominent Appalachian poet, explores the enduring presence of the deceased in "They Are Here." Through imagery of a moth fluttering in a dim room, Kessler suggests that the spirits of loved ones remain close to us, offering comfort amidst our grief:

"They do not speak, they do not move, / But they are here. / The moth circles the light, / Its wings beating like a heart, / A fragile reminder that they are here."

The Geography of Loss

The landscape of Appalachia serves as a poignant backdrop for the themes of loss and remembrance in this anthology. Many of the poems evoke the region's stark beauty and rugged terrain, reflecting the challenges and resilience of its people.

In "Coal Country Elegy," Fred Chappell mourns the loss of a mining community, its people and traditions fading into history. His lines paint a vivid picture of a once-thriving town now haunted by memories:

"The houses stand like empty shells, / The streets are overgrown with grass. / The laughter of children has been stilled, / And only the wind whispers through the trees."

Other poets explore the ways that the Appalachian landscape can provide solace and healing. In "Elegy for a Still Life," Ron Rash finds comfort in the familiar objects of his childhood home, each one a reminder of those who have come and gone:

"The old rocking chair, the worn-out rug, / The coffee pot that sits on the stove / Are all that remain. / But they are enough."

The Power of Ritual and Remembrance

Throughout the anthology, rituals and traditions emerge as powerful tools for coping with loss and honoring the memory of the departed. Many of the poems describe funeral rites, wakes, and other customs that connect the living to the dead.

In "Waking the Dead," George Ella Lyon captures the intensity of a traditional Irish wake, where mourners gather to celebrate the life of the deceased while acknowledging their own mortality:

"The whiskey flows freely, / The songs rise and fall, / The stories are told, / And the dead are remembered."

Other poems explore the ways that language itself can serve as a ritual of remembrance. In "The Names," Nikki Giovanni weaves together a tapestry of names—those of loved ones, ancestors, and historical figures—to create a powerful testament to the enduring power of memory:

"I am the names I know, / The names I have loved, / The names I have lost, / The names I will never forget."

A Tapestry of Grief and Healing

"Next Door to the Dead" is a multi-faceted collection that explores the many dimensions of loss and remembrance. The poems in this anthology confront the pain of grief head-on while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. They offer solace, comfort, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of life and death.

Whether you have experienced profound loss or are simply seeking a deeper connection with the human experience, "Next Door to the Dead" is a must-read. It is a testament to the transformative power of poetry and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the bonds of love and memory endure.

As Wendell Berry writes in his poem "Elegy for a Farmer's Wife," the dead are never truly gone: