I recently reread Linda Orr's A Certain X. I remember enjoying it when I first read it years ago. But age has a way of distorting one's view and youthful enthusiasm can look awkward in retrospect. So I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like the book now. Perhaps more than I did before.
A Certain X is really a wonderful book, full of insightful, surprising, and touching poems. Which led me to ask — what other books of poetry has she published? To my surprise, the answer appears to be none. If I am not mistaken, she has published two scholarly works, but no other poetry. Which is a shame.
Which led me to another question: I wonder how many remarkable first-and-only books I have? Two I can think of right away — which are a couple of my all-time favorites — are The Touch Code by John Love and If the River's This High All Summer by Martha Fritz. Touch Code, in particular, is a totally unique book with a frenetic energy and sense of play like no other. But again, it appears to be Love's only book of poetry.
Sure, I have single books from poets who, for one reason or another, published a limited number of works. Some down to one book, or a book and a couple of chapbooks. Some because life can be short (or cut short, such as John Bowie's Screen Gems). Some because, well, getting published is not easy.
But what stands out with Orr, Fritz, and Love is that they appear to be people who started out strong then decided to "give up" poetry for other endeavors. I say it is a shame because I'd love to read more of their work. But then these singular books are like unique flowers; they have a fully-formed beauty that can stand on its own. And perhaps it is best to leave one's readers wanting more...
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