Nicole Callihan’s book captivated me just as I returned from a meditation retreat. After such a serene experience, my senses were heightened, and every little detail seemed more vivid. “This Strange Garment” resonated with me during this heightened state. Rooted in the physical world, the book sheds light on the beauty of ordinary things, casting everyday occurrences in a new, radiant light through Callihan’s perspective.
While the book delves into navigating breast cancer amidst a pandemic, it’s not solely about illness; it’s about the essence of living. Callihan muses on the peculiarity and marvel of human existence, urging us to pay attention to the often-overlooked facets of life and embrace the present moment.
One poignant poem, “Everything is Temporary,” encapsulates the impermanence of life, with the speaker acknowledging the transience of even the most fundamental aspects. Callihan expertly weaves together the serious and the whimsical, drawing parallels between the profound and the nonsensical. Through witty anecdotes and introspection, she explores the delicate balance between peril and solace that defines our intricate world.
In her musings within the MRI machine, Callihan crafts jokes to ease her anxiety, underscoring the dual nature of healing and harm inherent in our surroundings. By infusing humor and sensitivity into her verses, she embodies the resilience needed to confront life’s paradoxes.
Callihan celebrates the female form in all its complexities, exalting its resilience and vulnerability. She eloquently portrays the body, including its scars and imperfections, with a blend of reverence and levity, honoring its fleeting nature.
Language, like a second skin, provides solace in times of tribulation. Callihan acknowledges the solace found in poetry amid illness, offering a poignant reflection on the healing power of words in tumultuous times.
The final poem, “This Strange Garment,” leaves a haunting yet introspective impression, contemplating what remains after momentous experiences. It reflects on the void that follows significant events, inviting introspection on how we inhabit our physical selves before the aftermath sets in.
