Triggerfish 1-2
Date
2016-06-16
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Publisher
MFA in Creative Writing, The University of Tampa
Abstract
Triggerfish 1-2 is a book-length poem capturing the feverish thoughts of a young Army
Lieutenant wounded among a platoon full of dead soldiers. At his side, a PRC-77 radio,
with the cord of its handset severed, is strapped on the back of the headless operator. For
Triggerfish, the radio still provides communications to the rear where Echo-6 offers
support, comfort, and military-mission guidance. Throughout his experience, Triggerfish
considers his level of responsibility in the deaths of the men in his platoon. As the PRC-
77 smolders, he travels to Woodstock, Kent State University, World War Two France,
and into the Akashic Library where the past and future are easily accessible through
dialogues with prophetic guides. Grounding Triggerfish in the realities of Army-specific
absurdities is Diogenes, a spiritual guide and friend. A cross between Alice in
Wonderland and Apocalypse Now, Triggerfish 1-2 is a journey through planes of parallel
existence and realizations of self-identity, both inside and outside of wartime.
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Keywords
Poetry, War, Identity