Milk Tongue

Irène Mathieu's third collection, "Milk Tongue," explores the gray area between ubiquitous human desires and overconsumption, using haibun, long poems, and experimental forms to explore privilege, oppression, anxiety, "hypnagogic conjure," and a warming earth. She suggests that we might become "both human and an / animal worthy of this speck of dust" through deep attention to the emotional vibrations under the surface of these phenomena.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing

Irène Mathieu's third collection, "Milk Tongue," delves into the intricate interplay between human desires and overconsumption, shedding light on the gray area that exists between these ubiquitous urges. Through her poetic lens as a poet and pediatrician, Mathieu explores the challenges of diagnosing and investigating the boundaries between normal consumption and excessive consumption. She questions how we learn to desire and what happens when our desires become destructive to the world around us. Moreover, she proposes a reconception of longing that rejects overconsumption, urging us to cultivate a deeper understanding of the emotional vibrations beneath these phenomena.

In "Milk Tongue," Mathieu employs a variety of poetic forms, including haibun, long poems, and experimental styles, to delve into the themes of inheritance, privilege, oppression, anxiety, "hypnagogic conjure," and the warming earth. Through her meticulous attention to the emotional undercurrents within these phenomena, she invites readers to become "both human and an / animal worthy of this speck of dust."

One of the central themes of the collection is the idea of privilege and oppression. Mathieu examines how these forces shape our desires and experiences, often leading to a sense of entitlement and a disregard for the impact of our actions on others. She highlights the ways in which privilege and oppression manifest in everyday life, from the unequal distribution of resources to the systemic injustices that perpetuate inequality.

Through her poetry, Mathieu invites us to reflect on the ways in which we inherit and pass on these forces of privilege and oppression. She suggests that by paying deep attention to the emotional vibrations beneath these phenomena, we can begin to dismantle them and cultivate a more just and equitable world.

Another theme explored in "Milk Tongue" is the concept of anxiety. Mathieu examines the ways in which anxiety permeates our lives, from the fear of failure to the anxiety of social interactions. She explores the emotional toll that anxiety takes on individuals and society as a whole, and offers insights into how we can manage and overcome these fears.

One of the most striking aspects of "Milk Tongue" is Mathieu's use of experimental forms. She incorporates elements of collage, found poetry, and visual art into her poetry, creating a rich and multi-dimensional experience for the reader. These experimental techniques allow Mathieu to push the boundaries of traditional poetic forms and explore new ways of expressing her ideas.

Overall, "Milk Tongue" is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with consumption and desire. Through her poetic lens, Mathieu offers insights into the complexities of human emotions and the ways in which we can navigate the gray area between normal consumption and overconsumption. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, social justice, and the intersection of human experiences.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 190 x 234 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646052660