Temporary Kin - Paperback

Temporary Kin by Kathleen McClung

Temporary Kin showcases Kathleen McClung's mastery of the sonnet crown form, bridging classical poetry structure with contemporary themes. This collection demonstrates how traditional verse forms can encompass modern subjects including active shooter drills, smartphones, and Lyft drivers alongside timeless imagery of songbirds, the sea, and the moon.

Structure and Form

The collection features a distinctive architectural design: four sonnet crowns interconnected by individual villanelles, forming a circular structure that creates a fifth and final crown. This daisy chain arrangement reflects the cyclical themes explored throughout the work, embodying the concept of "seasons, cycles, wheels that spin unseen / far longer than our brief mortality."

About the Poetry

McClung's work demonstrates technical skill in handling the sonnet crown, a demanding poetic form that requires seven sonnets where the last line of each becomes the first line of the next. The collection explores the intersection of ancient poetic traditions with contemporary American life, creating a dialogue between classical form and modern experience.

Critical Recognition

Julie Kane, author of Jazz Funeral and Mothers of Ireland, and co-editor of Nasty Women Poets: An Unapologetic Anthology of Subversive Verse, praises McClung as "a master of the sonnet crown," noting how the venerable form expands in her skilled hands to address both contemporary concerns and eternal themes.

Publication Details

Published in December 2019 as an independently published paperback, Temporary Kin represents a significant contribution to contemporary American poetry. The collection appeals to readers interested in formal verse, contemporary poetry that engages with modern life, and poets working within traditional structures.

This poetry collection suits readers who appreciate technical craftsmanship in verse, those interested in how classical forms adapt to contemporary subjects, and anyone seeking poetry that addresses both the immediate concerns of modern life and timeless natural imagery.