These poems are all focused on one "Kukutis," who is a quasi-mythical person representing a broad sense of cultural identity that is often described as missing or ineffable. Given Lithuania's recent history, the political/social resonance of this is clear and is at times quite explicit. Most of these poems, however, are also filled with a surrealistic beauty: "All these years I haven't eaten anything--/ the mine explosions scattered my insides/ all over the branches/ and made a mouth harmonica out of my teeth" (from "Kukutis' Application to Receive Temporary Relief Aid"). The book is introduced by the author. It is a pleasure to encounter this work, and in a translation that reads well in English.--John M. Bennett
This review originally appeared in TapRoot Reviews #4,
Contact the editor, luigi-bob drake, at Burning Press
Copyright Burning Press 1994, 1995.