Emerge

EmergeFrom the crushing comfort of the womb dark ocean, the poems in Francesca Marais Emerge rise to the surface and breathe deeply. Blood surges through my body, Refusing to gently creep into the shores Of my hearts quiet, she says. Untangling the tentacles of family and romance and imagination, the poet carries the reader along on a journey toward self love and acceptance. Her advice to us? Cherish then savour The salt of the pain, Lick your fingers dry.

From the crushing comfort of the womb-dark ocean, the poems in Francesca MaraisÕ Emerge rise to the surface and breathe deeply. ÒBlood surges through my body, / Refusing to gently creep into the shores / Of my heartÕs quiet,Ó she says. Untangling the tentacles of family and romance and imagination, the poet carries the reader along on a journey toward self-love and acceptance. Her advice to us? ÒCherish then savour / The salt of the pain, / Lick your fingers dry.Ó Salt of tears, of stinging wounds, of breaking wavesÑto know the self requires all of these. There is ache here, but also nourishment. Emerge shows us how to stop holding our breath; how to see our own reflection in the oceanÕs blue eyes.