blood on the map of man: a poem by Scott Ferry is a book length poem in which Ferry explores his humanity and connection the world and family around him. He opens with a poem that calls into question the most basic things we know to be true, stating, “i don’t trust the sky/to hold.” And yet, imagination emerges into a philosophical examination of what it means to live and breathe in this modern world at war with itself.
from pg. 2
i have enough skin i think
to grow back any voice
any voice i have saved
from the fire
Despite the darkness, there is light and hope in domesticity and familial connection. His lines are beautiful even when speaking of grave things:
3. (pg. 3) i search my grave — raspberry and rugosa blanket the stone my children's children's children reach roots through soil my shoes sing to the bees my ashes tremble in the silt my eyelashes curl in the wind and all of the soft parts of me still purr inside the vines inside the feral chambers of the earth
Rooted in nature, Ferry weaves connection between himself, the world around him, and his children. In their eyes he sees the world with fresh perspective, despite the darkening of his own. In that, there is hope. But he is not fooling himself about how the harsh, modern world (filled with hate, etc.) can impact their perspectives just as they have impacted his own.
“sometimes the nostalgia overwhelms me
even for moments that are still happening” (pg. 8)
Even as there is that impending nostalgia and sadness that comes with memory and time’s passage, there are moments of joy in which there is a debate about the megalodon and a Lego dinosaur that never existed are made.
Connections between Ferry and his children are strong, and it is clear he and they are navigating the tumultuous waters of life. There is a deep movement toward joy and an urgency to do so. Ferry has created a dialectical inquiry into his humanity in a modern world where everything seems overwhelming. It all has come full circle with a cover created by his daughter, who has found solace in art like her father before her. blood on the map of man: a poem by Scott Ferry is phenomenal and not to be missed.
RATING: Cinquain
About the Poet:
Scott Ferry helps our Veterans heal as a RN in the Seattle area. He will keep writing poetry to keep his skin on and the little voices sated. You can find more at ferrypoetry.com
