The Orange Spotlight

"Everything made must be unmade."

There is a certain weight to the observations that Christopher Cunningham makes in his latest collection. It is a weight that comes from experience and contemplation. If I was to guess what Chris' process would be I would imagine it would go like this. He starts with days filled with labor and struggle, and constant scribble into an observation journal of sorts. He carries these thoughts and observations everywhere. Once at home, sealed in solitude, he puts on Miles on vinyl, pours a glass of wine, and approaches the typewriter with the thoughts of day swirling. I suppose this could be organization, but it is more of a way to process, cope, or develop situations into thoughtful pieces of poetry. The process is a release, it is the way he is able to translate the world into a way he can understand. It is a vital communication with the world.

In Chris' latest collection, A Sound To Drive Away The Coming Darkness (Propaganda Press, Nov 2008), moves through these daily encounters with thought and precision. This collection is a vital addition to Chris' growing canon.