Write About an Empty Birdcage

by Elaina M. Ellis

In Write About an Empty Birdcage, Ellis sets out to trace the lineage of various personal disasters, including a break-up, an eating disorder, and a complex balance of identities. She writes about queerness, Jewish heritage, and embodied femininity, with a critique of power that blends humor, the mess of confession, and a reverence for tension. Ellis is a new poet to watch out for.

Genres: Poetry, Queer

94 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this collection of poems. I met the poet a few years ago at The Chuckanut Writers Conference, where she bowled me over with a reading of her poetry. On the back of the book it says, "Write About an Empty Birdcage is an unorthodox instruction manual for the broken-hearted." Indeed.

Beautiful. Honest. Intense.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Watch me become a backward image- sequence
in a better movie. Here, the broken glass moves from the carpet
where it is embedded, piece by piece back to its original form on the bedside
table. While night moonwalks to morning, watch bits of seeds
blow against the wind to nestle back on their dandelions."

Oh goodness, my dear Elaina. I am held gently within the pages of this book.

[V.S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

some beautiful imagery and surprising word choice, but overall i did not connect with the aforementioned. bummed, to say the least.

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take off your gown of gone.
Wayward girls will not be punished,
here. What is naked and glad again
is not a shame. Believe it or not,
there is no need to keep a dark garment,
once it has lost its shine. (75)

In turns gentle and biting; reflective; smart. Walk softly and carry a big voice.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I adored the namesake poem but then unfortunately the rest of the collection wasn't really for me on the whole. Some great ones in the final section however. Probably closer to a 2.5 stars.