davidkm

Clink, Carolyn, 2008, Much Slower Than Light, Who's That Coeurl? Press, 100 City Centre Dr., P.O. Box 2065, Mississauga Ontario, Canada L5B 3C6. Sixth edition, saddle stitched, not paginated. I met the delightful author of this chapbook in Orlando and discovered that she gives them away free at conventions. I suppose if you send a self-addressed envelope with sufficient Canadian postage you could get it from her at the address listed, but I don't know that for certain.

This chapbook consists of previously published poems, which were originally published as early as 1984. It appears that Clink has been around the genre poetry scene for quite a while. Two first appeared in Analog magazine; the rest appeared in various genre books and periodicals.

You might wonder why I am reviewing a four-year-old chapbook. For one thing, I have never read or reviewed it before. For another, I don't think Caroline makes any effort to publicize the chapbook. I suspect it would be new to many. Finally, it's really good!

From “Skylab 1973-1979”

I start to tumble
from orbit, slowly slitting
open the envelope of night.

Arresting imagery appears to be a trademark.

From “Cave of the Winds”

rainbow
caught, suspended
by the sound of potential
energy, hurricane

The title, Much Slower Than Light, might well refer to the speed of dissemination of poetry through the poetry reading populace. Perhaps it refers to the rate of propagation of creative thought. Almost everything you can think of is much slower than light, so the title might refer to the pace of life itself. Then again, it may simply be a reference to the title poem. Which, in turn, is a commentary on modern physics.

In any case, if you're ever in the vicinity of Rob Sawyer, look for Caroline Clink, and ask for Much Slower Than Light.