Space, in Chains

the long version

Laura Kasischke's poems have the same haunting qualities and truth as our most potent memories and dreams. Through ghostly voices, fragmented narratives, overheard conversations, songs, and prayers in language reminiscent of medieval lyrics converted into contemporary idiom, the poems in *Space, In Chains* create a visceral strangeness true to its own music. > So we found ourselves in an ancient > place, the very air around us bound by > chains. There was stagnant water in > which lightning was reflected, like > desperation in a dying eye. Like > science. Like a dull rock plummeting > through space, tossing off flowers and > veils, like a bride. And > > also the subway. Speed under ground. > And the way each body in the room > appeared to be a jar of wasps and > flies that day—but, enchanted, like > frightened children's laughter.