Grieffracturesandscars.InAfterlifeMichaelDhynepicksuptheshatteredremains,examiningeachshardinthelight,attemptingtofindmeaning--oratleastunderstanding--inthedeathofhisfather.“IfItellthestoryinreverse,/itstillendswithnothing,“hewrites.YetitisinthetellingthatDhyne’sstory--andtheworldhecreates--isfilled.Theechoesofhischildhoodlossreverberatethroughadolescenceandadulthood,hisbody,thebodiesofthoseheloves,andtheworldaroundthem--fromBourbonStreettodarkandlonelybedrooms,fromgriefsupportgroupstoheartachinglybeautifulsunsets.Howweareshapedbyourexperiences,andhowwerefusetobeshaped,isattheheartofthepoet’ssearchformemory,meaning,andlove--inallitsformsandwonders.Thisboldandtenderdebutisarousingreminderthatpoetryandartcanheal.“It’sonethingtoremember,anothertonotforget.Agirlsays,CanIstartwithmybirth?andIaskherifanythinghappenedbeforethat,hereyesbrightwithwonder.“--Excerptfrom“95South“
