The Hell of That Star

Kim follows up Autobiography of Death with another strong and prescient meditation on state censorship and violence. The opening poem centers on the real scene of a censor slapping Kim, setting the tone for a collection whose speaker wears “heavy stories like clothes.” Otherworldly imagery and anaphora create a kaleidoscope of eerie moments. Yet for all its images of death, the book glimmers with linguistic play and beautifully grotesque descriptions. As Kim writes, “Anything too beautiful/ is not poetry.” A master of cinematic sweep, Kim shifts from the placid, “If I open the window would morning sky unfold there,” to the brutal, “my head would be shattered I bet.” Additional riches lie in essays from translator Ok (Ward Toward) that provide useful context for Kim’s poetry and commentary on the art of translation: “Whereas writing a poem begins and ends, translating a poem stays in midsts.” Ok’s skillful translation stands as a welcome addition to the growing list of Kim’s memorable poetry available in English. This deserves a wide audience. (Feb.)