middle_name_joy's review against another edition
3.0
With brevity and nuance, Erica Funkhouser elicits the greater significance of everyday events in Pursuit, a collection of poems that wax on the theme of human and animal motivations: what drives of us to do what we do—need, desire, fear?
The first part drew focus to rituals, the ones born of nature and survival, like that of a quince in winter or a mole blindly digging its hole; and those of habit, such as an old man and his mailbox, a father’s predicable lunch. The second section was a contained ode, and the final segment featured longer reflections on human behavior.
Funkhouser is at her best when presenting the simplest of observations, i.e. Café de Sol. I was delighted by The Seven Friendships, a witty and truthful look at the different levels of companionship. Cataract Canyon was wonderfully detailed in both feeling and kayaking terms. And Collecting Hair conveyed true power. A fine compilation overall.
The first part drew focus to rituals, the ones born of nature and survival, like that of a quince in winter or a mole blindly digging its hole; and those of habit, such as an old man and his mailbox, a father’s predicable lunch. The second section was a contained ode, and the final segment featured longer reflections on human behavior.
Funkhouser is at her best when presenting the simplest of observations, i.e. Café de Sol. I was delighted by The Seven Friendships, a witty and truthful look at the different levels of companionship. Cataract Canyon was wonderfully detailed in both feeling and kayaking terms. And Collecting Hair conveyed true power. A fine compilation overall.
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