petal / transport

Arteidolia Press 2024

What happens when questioning how language is used and significance is given become the primary lens by which the poetic word decides to express itself? When fragmentation and cohesion are both equally at odds but also in harmony? When assurance and certainty avoid being present, however cannot help peeking through the cracks and letting themselves occasionally be known? The result may just be petal / transport. Mesiti's collection quickly becomes a sort of odd artifact that is unsure of itself and appears to hide behind what seems to be experiment but is also confident in the opportunity for poetic reflection it provides. Everything - from meaning to the space of the page itself - is up for grabs and intended to be explored.

"Reading James Mesiti, I am always overcome with the feeling that I have stumbled upon a trove of correspondence left on boulders, or under trees, gift-communiques between slightly mischievous nature spirits, fjallvættirscribbling to sjóvættir, which leave me feeling re-enchanted with the world." - Jay Kirk