Liquid Flesh

Brenda Shaughnessy's Liquid Flesh showcases her poetic evolution over twenty years, blending sensuality with sharp insights and humor, making it a unique collection in contemporary literature.

Brenda Shaughnessy’s Liquid Flesh: New & Selected Poems spans two decades of her poetic evolution, showcasing five distinct collections that highlight her audacious voice. From her debut in 1999 with Interior with Sudden Joy, Shaughnessy has crafted a unique blend of sensuality and stark honesty. Her poems are filled with contradictions, striking a balance between playful wit and deep moral insight. In her work, she confronts societal norms and the patriarchy, as exemplified in her powerful poem ‘I’m Over the Moon,’ where she expresses anger and reclaiming of agency against traditional expectations.

The collection not only delves into themes of love and loss but also celebrates the body and the transformative power of art. Shaughnessy's fearless exploration of her personal terrors, such as the complexities of motherhood and the pain of a son’s birth injury, reveals her profound emotional depth. Her writing dances across the English language, creating vivid imagery and clever wordplay that resonate with readers. In Liquid Flesh, humor often intertwines with wisdom, making her reflections both entertaining and thought-provoking.

From the youthful exuberance of Interior with Sudden Joy to the fierce insights of Our Andromeda and the speculative themes in The Octopus Museum, Liquid Flesh encapsulates an extraordinary body of work. It serves as a testament to Shaughnessy’s evolution as a poet, inviting both new and longtime readers to engage with her remarkable journey through contemporary poetry.