Wire Dancing
It takes neither dynamite / nor earth quake /
the business of circus / is its own upheaval
Circus as drama and risk, as exuberance and irrepressible spirit, is the central metaphor Patricia Sykes uses to open a world where public and private share the same tightrope. The poems speak of women searching for footholds along the spectrums of politics, power, history, culture and relationships.
Theirs are performances of celebration and hope as they wire dance through circumcision and incest, madness and suicide, genocide and war. There is passion and resistance, hot comedy and fire in the belly. Falling is the first victory, balance is the ultimate skill.
plastic surgery / will not cure / the mortalities / of a circus maximus
1999 | ISBN 9781875559909 | Paperback | 200 x 130 mm | 151 pages
It takes neither dynamite / nor earth quake /
the business of circus / is its own upheaval
Circus as drama and risk, as exuberance and irrepressible spirit, is the central metaphor Patricia Sykes uses to open a world where public and private share the same tightrope. The poems speak of women searching for footholds along the spectrums of politics, power, history, culture and relationships.
Theirs are performances of celebration and hope as they wire dance through circumcision and incest, madness and suicide, genocide and war. There is passion and resistance, hot comedy and fire in the belly. Falling is the first victory, balance is the ultimate skill.
plastic surgery / will not cure / the mortalities / of a circus maximus
1999 | ISBN 9781875559909 | Paperback | 200 x 130 mm | 151 pages
It takes neither dynamite / nor earth quake /
the business of circus / is its own upheaval
Circus as drama and risk, as exuberance and irrepressible spirit, is the central metaphor Patricia Sykes uses to open a world where public and private share the same tightrope. The poems speak of women searching for footholds along the spectrums of politics, power, history, culture and relationships.
Theirs are performances of celebration and hope as they wire dance through circumcision and incest, madness and suicide, genocide and war. There is passion and resistance, hot comedy and fire in the belly. Falling is the first victory, balance is the ultimate skill.
plastic surgery / will not cure / the mortalities / of a circus maximus
1999 | ISBN 9781875559909 | Paperback | 200 x 130 mm | 151 pages
Awards
2000 Commended, FAW Anne Elder Award
2000 Commended, Mary Gilmore award
Reviews
‘ ... what could well be the poetry experience of the year.’
–Bev Roberts