Territorial: Poems

Territorial is a collection of poems that explores the bargains women make to stay safe from violence, set in a landscape of ecological ruin. It connects subjects such as the dawn of recorded sound, the mapping of myths onto constellations, the ecosystem of a leach pond, and the photographs of Alfred Stieglitz, tracing the ways narratives of predation imprint onto the body, memory, environment, and future generations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 104 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

Territorial delves into the intricate negotiations women undertake to safeguard themselves from violence, set against the backdrop of an impending ecological catastrophe. The poems serve as poignant witnesses to the devastating impact of drought on the California chaparral region, while also exploring the profound personal challenges that arise. Through their introspective narratives, the collection uncovers patterns of abuse we perpetrate upon both the earth and one another. In the face of such devastation, how can we embark on a journey of healing and restoration?

The collection employs the repetitive and escalating nature of violence as a means of connecting diverse subjects, ranging from the origins of recorded sound to the mapping of myths onto constellations, the ecological intricacies of a leach pond, and the iconic photographs of Alfred Stieglitz. By tracing the ways in which narratives of predation imprint themselves upon the body, memory, environment, and future generations, Territorial reveals the resilience found in the power of language to reshape our experiences.

Through its exploration of the complex interplay between violence, resilience, and the transformative potential of language, Territorial offers a profound reflection on the human condition and our collective responsibility towards the world we inhabit.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822966968