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Alfonsina Storni: Selected Poems (Secret Weavers Series)

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"Selected Poems," by Alfonsina Storni, brings together a wide selection of poems by an important Argentine poet. This volume has been edited by Marion Freeman, who also wrote the brief but informative biographical introduction. Unfortunately, this is not a bilingual edition; all of the poems are presented in English translation. The translations are by Freeman, Mary Crow, Jim Normington, and Kay Short.

Storni's poetry covers a number of topics. Some recurrent subjects include nature, women's issues, family, sorrow, and the urban environment. The specter of violence haunts many of her poems. At times, her sparse but elegant language, combined with a dark tone, reminds me of the work of United States poet Stephen Crane. At other times, the combination of sensuous, startling imagery and emotional nakedness reminds me of the work of Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos.

Editor Freeman has selected poems from eight of Storni's published volumes, as well as a selection of uncollected poems. One of her most striking poems is "Litany for a Dead Earth," an apocalyptic vision of a devastated world. Also excellent is "Fog," which uses fascinating imagery to describe a cityscape. Striking imagery is also used in her "Portrait of Garcia Lorca": "The Andalusian hills / of his cheekbones / and the trembling valley / of his mouth / are smothered in climbing vines."

In the first poem in this volume, Storni writes, "I am like the she-wolf. / I broke with the pack." Perhaps this describes her own approach to poetry. At any rate, hers was a remarkable voice, and this is a fine collection of her work. Those interested in Latin American literature or 20th century poetry should seek out this book.