Our Held Animal Breath by Kathryn Kirkpatrick

Her lip curled. I could see
that she hated me.
                            It was odd

how the hatred went on
for days and days and years and years.

I began to feel I could 
count on it. It was a steady

reliable hatred. Not like
baled hay
                which can rot.

Our Held Animal Breath, Poems by Kathryn Kirkpatrick

Title: Our Held Animal Breath: Poems
Author: Kathryn Kirkpatrick
ISBN: 9781936370917
Publisher: WordTech Communications/2012)
Pages: 95

All the forty-four poems in the volume are extremely readable. The poems are about everyday stuff like hiking, meditating and gardening. The emotions range from hurt, loss and confusion, understanding and rational optimism. Hope and determination intermingle with loss and fear. 

Her poems reflect politics as well as gives us a glimpse of Blue Ridge Mountains and other such places. Current events are narrated well. With deep understanding and feelings.

I could relate to the way she has portrayed women. I felt as if I know them, which I do...my mother, my neighbours, work colleagues and lot more. It was as if I was reading about the lives of the women I know. 

Let me share another poem. 

Driving Home

The girl in platform pink flip-flops

stumbles in my headlights on the broken
pavement.
Beside her, the boy in the gray
overcoat pulls her from the road
in January rain.
My foot on the brake,
she was never in danger, except perhaps—

her face now contorted by tears—

from the misapprehension
that here in this fractured public space

unmended asphalt
absence of sidewalks
anonymous, glaring cars

she is somehow to blame.