Member-only story

Vertigo Ghost Poems: Fiona Benson's Ethereal Exploration of Grief, Trauma, and Femalehood

Allen Parker

·12.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Vertigo Ghost: Poems Fiona Benson

5 min read

689 View Claps

85 Respond

Save

Listen

Delving into the Labyrinth of Loss

Fiona Benson's Vertigo Ghost Poems is a literary masterpiece that weaves together the intricate threads of grief, trauma, and female identity. Through a haunting and evocative voice, Benson explores the depths of despair, loss, and the resilience that emerges from the ashes of adversity.

The collection opens with a sense of disorientation and displacement, as if the speaker has been thrust into an unknown and perilous landscape. Throughout the poems, Benson masterfully employs the motif of vertigo, a sensation of dizziness and loss of balance, to convey the profound disorientation and upheaval that accompany loss and trauma.

Vertigo & Ghost: Poems
by Fiona Benson
4.2 out of 5
Language : English
File size : 1084 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
Print length : 96 pages

The speaker grapples with the weight of grief, a burden that seems both unbearable and inescapable. She yearns for the solace of connection, but finds herself isolated and alone. In "The Knot," she laments:

"I have tried to untie the knot but it grows tighter, a hand around my throat."

In these lines, the knot represents the suffocating hold that grief has on the speaker's life. It is a physical and emotional constriction that threatens to consume her.

Exploring the Shadows of Trauma

Benson's exploration of grief extends beyond personal loss to encompass the broader societal trauma inflicted upon women. She delves into the dark corners of the female experience, shedding light on the violence, abuse, and objectification that many women endure.

In "The Red Girls," the speaker confronts the insidious nature of female subjugation, as she witnesses the dehumanizing treatment of young girls who are forced into prostitution:

"Red girls, red girls, burning bright, put out your flames, hide your light. Don't let them see you, don't let them know, you are not for sale, you are not a show."

These lines capture the silencing and commodification of women's bodies, a tragedy that has haunted societies throughout history. Benson's poetry raises a powerful voice against this injustice, demanding recognition and dignity for all women.

Reclaiming Female Identity

Amidst the darkness and despair, Benson's poems also offer moments of resilience and hope. The speaker finds strength in the sisterhood of women, drawing upon the support and understanding of those who have shared similar experiences.

In "Dance Hall," she celebrates the power of female solidarity, as women come together to defy the constraints imposed upon them:

"We will dance our way through the pain, we will dance our way through the shame. We will dance until we are free, we will dance until we are whole."

These lines embody the transformative power of art and community, as women rise above their adversity and reclaim their agency. Benson invites readers to embrace the complexities of female identity, to recognize the resilience and strength that lies within every woman.

Fiona Benson's Vertigo Ghost Poems is a breathtaking literary achievement that explores the depths of grief, trauma, and femalehood. Through haunting imagery and evocative language, Benson creates a mesmerizing and deeply resonant collection that will undoubtedly linger in the minds of readers long after they have finished reading.

Benson's poetry invites us to confront the darkness within ourselves and the world around us, but it also offers a glimmer of hope. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is resilience and strength. As the speaker in "The Knot" proclaims:

"I will untie this knot, I will find my way back. I will not be defeated by grief."

Vertigo Ghost Poems is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the complexities of human experience. It is a testament to the power of art to heal, to empower, and to illuminate the path toward a more just and compassionate world.

Vertigo & Ghost: Poems

by Fiona Benson

4.2 out of 5