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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
''What greater challenge for a poet than the recovery of language after its loss? These dense, powerful poems are the fruits of Coleman's year-long struggle. They read like some profound and moving metaphor for the process of writing poetry itself, but on a far more important plane, as we follow him from struck muteness to the dredging up of the bare bones of language, a process of reclamation that seems to find its fullest and most joyous expression – its cure – in the sensuous love poems for his wife that conclude the book, the wife who was at his side every painful inch of the way.' Peter Goldsworthy
''The lyrics of Asymmetry show us by turns the sorrows of dire illness and the joys of love.
'Aidan Coleman sees and feels things in sharp and memorable ways; yet he not only makes us perceive the world better but also he leads us to appreciate it the more. Australian poetry is the richer for this book.' Kevin Hart
''Dizzying imagery, executed with utter control. Coleman's artistry puts him in the forefront of young poets anywhere.' Les Murray' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Dedication: For Leana
Affiliation Notes
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Writing Disability in Australia
Type of disability Brain injury following a stroke. Type of character Primary (autobiographical poetry). Point of view Includes first person.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Recoil and Resurgence of Bodies and Branches
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 2-3 February 2013; (p. 35)
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry ; The Yellow Gum's Conversion 2011 selected work poetry -
Perfecting the Ar T: Asymmetry by Aidan Coleman
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Sotto , March 2013;
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Following the Rhythm of the Journey
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Rochford Street Review , August-October no. 5 2012;
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Classical Mirrors
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 344 2012; (p. 73)
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Poems From the Edge
2012
single work
column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 23 June 2012; (p. 22-23)
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Sustained and Stylish
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 19 May 2012; (p. 22-23)
— Review of Crimson Crop 2012 selected work poetry ; Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Abhorring the Vacuum
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 14-15 July 2012; (p. 22)
— Review of First Light 2012 selected work poetry ; Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Classical Mirrors
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 344 2012; (p. 73)
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Recoil and Resurgence of Bodies and Branches
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 2-3 February 2013; (p. 35)
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry ; The Yellow Gum's Conversion 2011 selected work poetry -
Following the Rhythm of the Journey
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Rochford Street Review , August-October no. 5 2012;
— Review of Asymmetry 2012 selected work poetry -
Poems From the Edge
2012
single work
column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 23 June 2012; (p. 22-23)
Awards
- 2014 shortlisted Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature — John Bray Poetry Award
- 2013 shortlisted Western Australian Premier's Book Awards — Poetry