Review of Fragments by Antigone Kefala
A bird cut with its wings
such silk, that fell
and rose, heavily,
singing through the air (p.22).
The suite of poems included within Antigone Kefala’s book Fragments bridges people to the author’s perspectives on her life (and life in general), including her relationships and how she responds to death. Some poems also depict the Australian culture along with its scenery and society. The book aims to collaborate everyone with the motifs and create a link with the readers. Anyone who picks up the text will be able to contemplate these ideas and acquaint themselves with the elaborate poetic language.
Kefala’s reflections of her relationships are apparent within Fragments. As you continue, you begin to understand the author’s outlook on friends and family. “My Mother’s Hands” provides an observation of how she views her mother. “My Mother’s Hands” is particularly touching as it represents a daughter's love for her mother’s strength.
The notion of life is expressed in Fragments, as Kefala emphasises her observations and experiences throughout her poetry. “Winter Afternoon” features the quote, “A detached observer/ presenting a life/ unconnected to her” (p.11). It reflects the uncertainty and uncanny strangeness of human behaviour.
Fragments includes melodious poems which allows individuals to respond to Kefala’s eloquent vision of Australia. Readers can establish an association to Australia through the wording, which captures the landscape perfectly. The imagery of Australia as revealed through the poems are vibrant and organic. There are various references to Australian flora and fauna as well as referring to iconic landmarks. An example of this is in “Song of Songs” which quotes “I send you the echoes of light/ that move on the waters/ below the Moreton Bay figs” (p.17).
The poetic language used within Antigone Kefala’s views on death are painfully beautiful. The audience can understand her sorrow through “On Loss”. She also makes ample references to nature - plants in particular – referring to those who have passed away in her poem “The Neighbour”. The juxtaposition between the vitality of the plants as compared to the cessation of loved ones is cleverly written.
The poems incorporated within Fragments highlights various concepts which are excellently portrayed. It is a great text if you just want to indulge in authentic poetry about life, relationships, death, Australian culture, family and friends. The poems speak to one’s experiences of life and is then linked to Kefala’s writing. For all the poetry lovers, this is definitely a great and engaging read.
Purchase a copy here.
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Antigone Kefala is the author of three previous books of fiction, The First Journey, The Island, and Alexia: A Tale of Two Cultures. Her most recent book of poetry is the collection Absence: New and Selected Poems. Summer Visit: Three Novellas is her most recent collection of short stories.
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Angelene Karas is in her fifth and final year of her Masters of Education (Secondary) course at University of Western Sydney and majors in English and History. Angelene considers herself an aspiring poet, artist and teacher. Her passions in life are being inspired by authors, artists and oh yeah, coffee. She is a wizz in all things Simpsons, and can recite many lines (and shamefully whole songs) from a variety of episodes. You can generally catch her stressing about assignments and university in general, or attempting to crack jokes which are not all that funny.