The Lives of Coat Hangers

Discover the poignant and thought-provoking world of Sudesh Mishra in his remarkable poetry collection, 'The Lives of Coat Hangers.' This collection is a stunning exploration of everyday objects, inviting readers to reflect on the deeper meanings hidden in the mundane. The opening poem, 'The Capacious Muse,' serves as a manifesto of creative freedom, boldly declaring that no subject is off-limits in the pursuit of poetic truth. Each poem, including the title piece, 'The Lives of Coat Hangers,' highlights Mishra's ability to find beauty and depth in ordinary life. With a keen eye for detail and a philosophical bent, Mishra examines how meaning is created and perceived in our modern reality. With 144 pages of rich, intricate language and insights that resonate across cultures, this paperback edition (150 x 235 mm) is perfect for poetry lovers and anyone seeking to engage with the art of language. Published by Otago University Press on January 29, 2016, 'The Lives of Coat Hangers' showcases Mishra's growth as a masterful poet, merging humor, wit, and technical prowess to captivate readers. Dive into this collection and experience the vibrant tapestry of the South Pacific's poetic landscape.

Author: Sudesh Mishra Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 150 x 235 mm
Pages: 144
Publication Date: 29-01-2016

In Sudesh Mishra’s new collection the opening poem, ‘The Capacious Muse’, acts as a manifesto or declaration of intent. It’s a sequence of aphoristic sentences that begins: ‘The muse will not proscribe.’ In other words, this poet will not rule anything out as the fit subject for a poem. Sudesh Mishra is a philosophical poet, one preoccupied not only with how meaning is made, but with how meaning is manifested in the modern world. His poetry is rich in the truths revealed by humble, humdrum objects, as in the title poem, ‘The Lives of Coat Hangers’: They wait for a latch to raise an eyebrow, For a shadow to step in from the light. They long to be held in the arms of a coat … Subtle, witty, linguistically adept and internationally well travelled, Sudesh Mishra is a poet whose range of reference traverses global culture. An ambitious and accomplished writer, one able to brilliantly reinvent language, myth and metaphor, his fifth collection confirms him as a major poetic voice in the South Pacific. … a poet with imagination to burn - Murray Bramwell, Adelaide Review Mishra’s development as a poet shows in the restrained, formal, technical brilliance of the poems -Briar Wood, The Contemporary Pacific