Small Siren

Poetry. In Alexandra Mattraw’s much-awaited first book, SMALL SIREN, we encounter a poet of extraordinary observation and inquiry. An enchantment and engagement with the world commences: ‘when is a voice a piano, ‘ ‘repetition needs to believe, ‘ ‘what grew before you could speak’ build a kind of groundswell where Mattraw puts her ear to the hardscape of 21st century America and its global environs: Sao Paolo, Iceland, New Zealand. Ultimately, notions of country and categories break down. What we find is heresy, hearsay, and yes, wishes. Throughout, what survives is a relationship of love and courage, of errors and triumph. A human relationship of lovers, of family. This is a book of wonder and awe and strength. When the world goes down, I want to be in Alexandra Mattraw’s boat.–Gillian Conol