In his latest collection of poems, titled No Sign, Peter Balakian, an Armenian-American poet, essayist, and memoirist, delves into deep themes of dislocation, suffering, and loss amidst a backdrop of global chaos and unrest over the past decade. The poems in this collection resonate with each other in unexpected ways, exploring the mystery of wholeness in life while confronting the gaping void that lies within.
Divided into four sections, each poem in No Sign touches upon the existential emptiness that pervades existence. From reflections on historical bitterness and loneliness to meditations on the Armenian genocide and the unreality of repeated calamities, Balakian weaves a narrative that forces readers to confront the harsh realities of our world.
The collection’s central motif revolves around the word noren, drawing connections between Japanese fabric dividers and the Armenian word for “again.” This motif symbolizes the cyclical nature of history, the detachment from the passage of time, and the surreal quality of existence, akin to watching a never-ending film on a flickering screen.
Through stark imagery and poignant metaphors, Balakian paints a bleak yet honest picture of our present reality. The closing lines of the collection echo a sentiment of hopelessness and resignation, encapsulating a world where there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, no sign of redemption or relief in sight.
In No Sign, Balakian masterfully captures the complexities of human existence, offering readers a poignant reflection on the eternal struggle between despair and resilience that defines our shared experience.
