How the Weather Was, Jean
Kavanagh?s second collection, describes how someone?s choices can lead
to an interruption of the ordinary, moving in parallel with the
seemingly steadfast lives of others.
Far from her origins ? whether traversing an island in the Arctic
on a night bus, or confronted by different stars in the New Zealand sky ?
the poet faces the challenge of returning to academia, and the
kaleidoscope of new relationships, while holding on to the soul of who
she used to be.
The book?s final section opens into this revenant past, for a
candid exploration of a trauma from decades before. It is an emotional
weather report. The outlook is unsettled, but with the prospect of
improving conditions.