There are two versions of “Water”
2001 – Still Life
2003 – Small Arguments
takes shape / uncertain of its own / in the palm, in glass / lifting to drain
and takes shape / uncertain of its own: // in the palm of a hand / a glass lifted to drain
I like the version better from the chapbook Still Life which was
Distributed in Canada by the author
Published without assistance
Typeset Book Antiqua, 6 point, photocopied
in the palm, glass
is succinct and evocative — an envious combo
the version in Small Arguments seems by contrast cluttered
the version in Still Life wavers on the theme of uncertainty and succeeds in conveying stillness in the midst of movement; an accomplishment
In 2002 “Water” by Souvankham Thammavongsa won the Lina Chartrand Award. One wonders in which version. (another*)
One would have to go look at the CV2 issues in the previous year [Writers are chosen for this award from women published in CV2 during the previous year]. There just may be another fluid version of “Water” out there.
in palm, in glass
*contemporary verse 2 winter 2003 pp. 65-66 “water”
takes shape / uncertain of its own: / in the palm of a hand, a glass / lifting to drain
And so for day 1462
14.12.2010