Heartworms & Other Problems

Heartworm: "n. A relationship or feeling that you cannot get out of your head, which you thought had faded long ago but is still somehow unfinished, like an abandoned campsite whose smoldering embers still have the power to start a forest fire”. -- John Koenig, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. 'Heartworms & other problems' by Simon Orser is a mosaic of modern life’s detritus, captured through a lens both intimate and expansive. The collection’s first poem, "Junk Drawer," serves as a vivid inventory of life's discarded and forgotten items, symbolizing the accumulation of memories and moments that shape the speaker's existence. The poem’s eclectic list—from crumpled candy wrappers to expired driver's licenses—conveys a sense of nostalgia and loss, with each item holding its own story within the chaotic mix. The collection traverses a diverse range of themes, from the existential musings in "Heart Jobs" to the haunting narrative of urban indifference in "A Man Named George." The latter stands out for its stark portrayal of a society desensitized to human suffering, as a man’s tragic fall is ignored by the bustling city around him. This poem is a poignant commentary on the anonymity and isolation of urban life. In contrast, "When We Were in Paris" is a tender exploration of love and longing, evoking the romanticism and fleeting nature of a past relationship. The imagery of Paris, with its cobblestone streets and metro stations, serves as a backdrop to a deeply personal narrative, highlighting the interplay between place and memory. The structural variety in Junk Drawer is noteworthy. The collection shifts seamlessly from free verse to more structured forms, such as the pantoum in "Hard, Like a Truck," which juxtaposes the brutality of physical conflict with the elegance of poetic form. This stylistic fluidity mirrors the thematic diversity, allowing each poem to find its unique voice. "Explicate This" humorously critiques the academic dissection of poetry, while "Cream of Crackhead Soup" employs a stream-of-consciousness style to portray the harsh realities of homelessness. The latter's lack of punctuation and breathless pace creates a visceral reading experience, immersing the reader in the chaotic world it describes. With the gift of 'Heartworms & other problems', Simon Orser has crafted a work that invites readers to reflect on their own "junk drawers"—the memories and moments that, while seemingly insignificant, collectively define who we are.