Lois Glenn's Escape

A sensual, insightful, and satisfying compilation of poems, Scarlet E, by Lois Glenn, is an enticing, thought-provoking journey that expresses a whole gamut of human emotion ranging through sorrow, hope, jealousy, desire, and love. Predominantly free verse, Scarlet E has it all, depicting everything from momentary pleasure garnered at a stranger’s touch to a yearning for surrender, safety, and commitment. In this her praiseworthy debut poetic collection, Glenn uses sensuous imagery, and melodic phrases to describe the human need for touch, acceptance, and, ultimately, unconditional love.

While each poem is a separate entity, the whole volume tells the story of love, loss, and renewal. Each reader will be able to find personal favorites based on her own taste and experiences. From the first poem, “Just a Dance” to the last, “Forever,” Glenn speaks with candor and grace in a style that tantalizes the imagination and stimulates the soul. Her vivid imagery is captivating and draws the reader along on the introspective journey.

The language of Glenn’s poems changes to fit the mood and tone. Although most of the poems have no rhyme, she does use it here and there to call attention to a particular phrase or set a mood as in “Guttural Surrender” (p. 47):

Emotions swirling in misty eyes

released mighty and soulful cries.

Lips moved to swallow her groan,

completely surrendered with a guttural moan.

Throughout, the poems are enriched by the words Glenn chooses as much for meaning as for sound. In “Stranger’s Embrace” (p. 9) the use of sibilants is soft and caressing and works neatly with the meaning.

Long moments of silence passed,

allowing the sun’s warmth to caress

the side of my face, while I listened

to her comforting voice

melt the ice from my lips.

She also varies the tone of the poems. At times conversational with stanzas formed of complete sentences, they can also be cryptic as in “Afterglow” (p. 23) which is a series of unpunctuated stanzas each consisting of a single noun with an adjective phrase. It is pure imagery. And it moves!

But always her poems are dominated by the images. Frequently Glenn creates a juxtaposition of one thing with another completely different to emphasize their one esoteric similarity such as this stanza from “Stray Home” (p. 69). It is such an effective way to express the tenuous thread that keeps a jilted lover sane.

A breeze jangles the leaves;

knowing better than to admit weakness,

they cling tighter to the tree.

These unusual and powerful images are evocative of sensory experience that gives a lushness and resonant timbre to the physical and emotional substance of the poems.

Nowhere is this more strongly evidenced than in the breathtaking and heartrending sorrow of “Malignancy” (p. 98).

Malignancy

© Lois Glenn

(Reprinted with permission from the author)

Echoes of a shadow

proved her dreaded suspicion,

silencing her vigor

with endless nausea

and eternal torture.

One day her pains disappeared

with the thunder of tears

sweeping up the front stairs.

Now clumps of mowed grass

cling to all who pass.

Rainwater swirls as a reminder

over my bare feet;

beneath the cold surface

is no place for

life’s triumphant defeat.

Lois Glenn expresses personal thoughts in an intense and intimate writing style through images appealing to all the senses. With verses that explore the full range of the lesbian love experience, Scarlet E is worthy of many readings.

Do not miss Scarlet E. I highly recommend it and it is a great gift idea too.