Exit Signs on a Seaside Highway by Lara Atallah
Publication date: November, 2023
ISBN-13: 978-1-956639-07-0
Lara Atallah's "Exit Signs on a Seaside Highway" stands out as a remarkable collection, delving into the intricacies of identity, cultural displacement, and the profound impact of geopolitical upheavals. Through a skillful interplay of specific geographical references such as Latakia, Cairo, Jaffa, Haifa, and Palmyra, the poet constructs a narrative that resonates with both personal introspection and universal themes.
In Break the curse throw the ashes away, throw the ashes away, Lara employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the complexities of the speaker's experiences. The title itself, "Break the curse, throw the ashes away," sets the tone for a narrative that seeks liberation and resolution. The subterranean roads represent hidden narratives and untold stories. Lies scattered like dandelions suggest the pervasive nature of falsehoods, perhaps hinting at their ability to propagate easily. The sunflower seeds and the ensuing trail symbolize a path of discovery, leading to a revelation or truth.
The one where you scatter lies
like dandelions. Power shuts off,
a collective hallucination seeps onto
the gravel. I bury it in the bell curve
where they hid the bodies,
sketch the map, scatter the ashes
on the dashboard, leave a trail of sunflower
seeds leading to a noose you’ll wear around
your neck. My turn. I stretch my lies
like a rubber band. Bet you’d like that.
In "The key is the map," a painter seeks solace in the repetition of oceanic hues, mirroring the struggle for understanding amidst impending chaos. "Cataclysms" delves into the wreckage of memories, where "things break and nothing mends them back together." "Cyclical entropy" paints a vivid portrait of a past self ensnared by shadows and escape, while "Manual for dissenting" acts as a rallying cry, urging remembrance and homage to those who've paved the way.
Cataclysms
Let’s start with the punchline: every disaster is a window.
Your mother screaming at the sky. You, quiet in a corner
plucking want out of your organs. A stolen summer.
Things break and nothing mends them back together.
Lara skillfully crafts a narrative that is not only artistically sophisticated but also socially relevant, offering readers a profound reflection on the complexities of identity and the enduring impact of geopolitical dynamics.
- Rochak Agarwal
Author Bio
Lara Atallah is a multidisciplinary artist and writer. Her practice explores the political dimensions of landscape, probing both the futility and fluidity of borders as manmade constructs. Her work has been exhibited in the US and internationally. Her first book, Edge
of Elysium, Vol.1 (2019) was published by Open Projects Press. Her writing has appeared or is forthcoming in Artforum, Camera Austria, The Brooklyn Rail, 128Lit, Koukash Review, Bahr. She also publishes Blue Metropolis, a monthly newsletter on Substack.