Kelly Cherry embodies the essence of a “woman of letters,” as defined by Robert Penn Warren. She delves into various genres and engages with diverse cultural and intellectual traditions. With a vast literary repertoire of over twenty books spanning criticism, memoirs, novels, poetry, and short fiction, Cherry’s works have been featured in prestigious anthologies like Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Awards, and The Pushcart Prize Anthology. Honored with the L. E. Phillabaum Award for Poetry and having served as the Poet Laureate of Virginia, Cherry continues to produce exceptional work across a wide range of genres.
The collection of stories in A Kind of Dream (2014) stands out as some of Cherry’s finest creations. What sets this book apart is how it forms a cohesive whole, functioning effectively as a novel-in-stories. The prologue serves as an extensive character index, setting the stage with terms like “Forebears,” “Art and Eleanor,” “The Watchful Child,” and others. This groundwork creates a narrative thread connecting the individual stories within the book. For instance:
Firstborn
n., adj. The son. He holds conflicting self-perceptions: one where he sees himself as a genius, and another where he fears being exposed as a mere impostor.
He grapples with the weight of others’ expectations, particularly those of his parents and teachers. The pressure leads him to abandon piano practice, unsure if he possesses the potential to excel as a pianist.
The stories themselves lean towards psychological realism, offering a direct narrative approach. The epilogue, a contemplation on language’s emotive power, revisits the abstract and experimental tone of the prologue. This framing technique not only elevates the book conceptually but also brings coherence to the narrative.
Cherry’s poetry mirrors her prose in richness and depth. In her recent work, The Life and Death of Poetry (2013), she explores philosophy and language. Poems like “Night Vowels,” “The First Word,” and “Learning the Language” delve into the essence of language itself—how it shapes our world, adds beauty and mystery to life, and reflects our innermost experiences. Other poems such as “Mute,” “Talking with Only One Functional Vocal Cord,” and “Against Aphasia” delve into language’s limitations and their implications for human existence. Even in poems that don’t directly address linguistic nuances, language plays a subtle yet essential role. Consider “The Loveknot.”
On the couch—
baby mice stillborn,
would-be twins
clutching each other
as if either
could save his brother.
The size of thumbs
tails still curled.
Two Q’s
spelling nothing.
Spelling it twice.
Cherry’s figurative language in this poem showcases her empathy towards vulnerability and brokenness, adding an emotional depth to her work.
Cherry’s poetic prowess extends to her adept use of form. In “Seen but Not Heard,” she effortlessly weaves imagery and rhyme, creating a melodic rhythm that resonates with readers.
Night returns to day.
Cobwebs tremble in lighted air.
Beeches catch the sun
and toss it back like a ball,
as trapped things pray
sotto voce.
This stylistic complexity, evident in the subtle interplay of rhyme and structure, offers both intellectual and aesthetic gratification to readers.
By exploring A Kind of Dream alongside The Life and Death of Poetry, readers gain insight into Cherry’s versatility across genres. These two works stand as testaments to Cherry’s literary virtuosity, further solidifying her esteemed reputation in the world of letters.
