The 52nd Poem

Theresa Paltzat is the Smart Search librarian at the Edmonton Public
Library.

Thomas Trofimuk is actively involved in the Edmonton poetry community.
His talent in that genre is showcased in a debut novel that challenges
the reader to adapt to a story written in the second person, and to be
patient with the stilted, jagged thoughts and memories that dominate the
opening pages. As the narrative progresses and more is revealed,
however, the pieces begin to fall into place, creating a picture of
lost, illicit love.

The 52nd Poem features interesting, if enigmatic, characters, including
the narrator himself as he recalls his past affair and tries to come to
terms with his sense of loss. He decides to write his former lover 52
poems, one every week for a year after their separation (a task that
becomes more complicated when he finds new love). These poems are
interspersed throughout the text, providing insight into the complex
relationships of the characters. The poetic quality of Trofimuk’s
prose makes his ambitious novel worth the effort.