Amy Key's Isn't Forever is a spellbook for feminine selfhood in a
world where a sense of self is flimsy, elusive and unrequited. The poems
in this book are obsessive in their desire to construct and breach the
terms of their own intimacy. They have their own 'narrative costume' but
are vexed with it, not quite able to master the 'diligence of having a
body'. This is a book where a tender and sabotaging shame of aloneness
has taken root. Where wants cluster and are at war with each other.
Where the heart is at once 'all lurgy' and an investment piece to be
saved for best. Where the sea is the only solace, but the sea is blasé.
The 'ta-dah!' and candour of these poems is an exercise in Amy Key's
imaginative protection and urge for personal extravaganza, an attempt to
acknowledge but fight back the brutal inner voice. The obscure audience
of the reader is never out of sight.
Amy Key's first collection Luxe was published by Salt in 2013. Isn't
Forever is her second book-length collection.