Synkroniciti is pleased to welcome Chicago poet Suzanne Glade with “The Holiday Family Dinner is Over,” a vivid examination of the emotional wake and trauma left after a contentious family gathering. Unfortunately, far too many of us have been there and experienced the invisible carnage that Suzanne aptly translates into visible imagery. Her metaphors are the dirty dishes and table linens, further ravaged by imagining them physically damaged by the fierce emotions still resonating in the space. A cousin’s place at the table is particularly poisonous: “Only the circular impression/ of his plate under which he hid// his insecurities and pain is poison free./ She knows no amount of scrubbing will make/ it safe to touch.” And yet, amidst the detritus she finds a miracle–a fragile bit of vulnerability which promises new life and possibility. It’s an astonishing moment, unexpected and delightful. In addition to the alchemy of her imagery, Suzanne’s verse is full of magical alliterative and rhythmic music.
Read “The Holiday Family Dinner is Over” in our “Family” issue, available at https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/purchase-individual-issues/.
Early morning walks outside and late night wanderings in the house are when Suzanne Glade does her best thinking. Poetry allows Suzanne to process what she observes, experiences and remembers. Family is central to Suzanne’s life. Hers is a patchwork of personalities that are simultaneously mind numbingly predictable and jaw-droppingly unimaginable. When writing, Suzanne likes to look over her shoulder, gather strands of the past, braid them with the present and what she can reach in the future. She is a poet living in an attorney’s body in Chicago—waiting to be set free.
Would love to read your poem. I am a recovering emergency room case manager newly retired as an RN trying to be a poet. do you teach any classes or have any wisdom for a new emerging poet who’s trying not to get discouraged my email is dkcarp11@ gmail.com. Hope you have a minute to drop me a line cordially Donna
Hi Donna! It’s good to hear from an emerging poet! This thread doesn’t go directly to Suzanne,but arrives at Synkroniciti, the publisher. We don’t have any classes yet, but I can tell you that you are a poet–publication doesn’t make you one. Write as much as you can and work on an authentic and unique voice, point of view, or style. Some people will like it, some will not, but you need to pull your submissions out of the pack. We publishers get a great deal of poetry that is pretty good, but not outstanding and there isn’t space on our pages for much of it. Second, find a circle near you or online where you can share your poetry and get feedback. Before you send it to a publisher, get others to read it and respond and check for mistakes. Best wishes and luck to you! Katherine