The Paradise Effect

TO AVOID PARALYSIS

To avoid paralysis I get up and walk around a bit in the habitat that resembles the world, give a simple speech, say outspokenly: ‘Don’t be afraid to go too far, we are incorporated into the theory of all things, exact and marvellous.’

The words seem to have a special influence and authority, for the earth moves almost imperceptibly under us. You also move, and soon we are associating and a kind of divine point starts to gleam faintly between our bodies. It camouflages itself as a little lantern and the small boats are already on their way out to us and joy begins to take delight in joy.

Click here for English sample translation

All of the poems in this collection present an aspect of the phenomenon named in the title, "Paradiseffekten", where the main character in the poem experiences that all the multitudes of details in the world overflow and threaten to overwhelm us. In that abundance, the concern is to sort and hold one's attention on the elements that really deserve attention.

Praise for "The Paradise Effect":

"...a brave, thought-provoking and well-accomplished poetry collection."
(VG)

"It is a pleasure to read Wardenær's long, rhythmic, sensual sentences."
(Aftenposten)

First published: 2004, Aschehoug Fiction

Translations: 5 poems in French (Nouvelle Revue Francaise)

Torild Wardenær:    Biography and bibliography

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