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Turbulence & Fluids

poems by karla. k. morton (2010 Texas Poet Laureate)
ISBN: 978-1-956440-33-1 paperback $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-956440-34-8 ebook $9.99
April 2023

Immediately in karla morton’s poetry collection, Turbulence & Fluids, the tables are turned as the waters of the Earth speak first. Not only do they speak in their power and vulnerability, but in relationship to the humans that use and so often abuse them. This tells us the speaker of these poems is in close relationship to the natural world, especially water’s lifegiving necessity in the dry Texas of the poet’s childhood. In “Fish Multiplication,” with a reverence and gratitude found throughout the book, morton writes, “I hope when they pull their chairs / up to the table, they taste / the prayer of thanks / that flowed through those gills…”

Equally powerful in these poems is the force of the speaker’s voice, which pulses with color, range, passion, and ironic humor. This voice dares us to live fully, to crack open our hearts, to chance it all: “Dare to be lotus. / Dare to live down among this mucked mire. / The world needs the hope of your struggle. / Do not be consumed / rather be the fight, / be your one perfect bloom…” Also paramount for the poet is the family in community, even the four-legged variety: watering new sod beside her father in an unforeseen drought; moving him to a care facility, his guiding voice ever in her ear; making chow-chow in a hot kitchen; lifting and mourning the beloved dog (“be dove-like with his soul”). Equal to this expansive voice and heart is an overarching spirituality, a Christian echo that never proselytizes, but girds and deepens the speaker’s worldview.

It’s fitting that the book flows poem to poem, with no section breaks to interrupt the movement as the speaker recounts not only the geographical but ancestral waters from which she rises, as in “Shine Shine Shine” and “Washita River”: “What magic breaks a river / through earth and flint and time; / what makes our lives eternal / but each legend of bloodline.” We each have this river of time and history and blood within us and, despite being drenched in grief as our losses mount, we—and these poems—travel and sing with it and in it.

—Linda Parsons, author of Candescent and This Shaky Earth

Turbulence & Fluids by karla k. morton is a wonderfully unique collection of poetry. The author’s almost spiritual connection to the surrounding world is evident in every poem. The opening poems give voice to the water, a captivating turn that starts a journey full of introspection and connection. Morton’s lived experiences, especially her Texas upbringing, are a pervasive influence in the collection, tying together hazy childhood memories with a passion for the Earth and the relationship between it and humans. Morton’s gratitude and reverence for the environment are palpable, and many lines showcase her ability to infuse even the simplest moments with a profound sense of wonder. The strength of Morton’s voice resonates throughout, layered with a spectrum of emotions that invite readers to embrace life’s complexities. The poem’s core encourages embracing life fully, even amid challenges, and Morton calls readers to find beauty and resilience in difficult circumstances. The poems reflect a deep sense of community, echoing familial ties and the companionship of pets. These themes are underpinned by an unobtrusive spiritual thread, providing a broader perspective without imposing.

This collection is not broken into sections, so if you’re a fan of more organized books, this might not be your favorite. However, the absence of those section breaks contributes to a seamless flow, mirroring the continuous passage of time and the interconnectedness of life’s experiences. Through poems like “Shine Shine Shine” and “Washita River,” Morton draws parallels between ancestral waters and the river of human existence. This approach effectively highlights the shared journey of history and the individual.

Turbulence & Fluids is a poetic expedition guiding readers through the depths of emotion, history, and connection. Morton’s evocative language and relatable themes create a tapestry of human experience, offering moments of both solace and inspiration. This collection is a reminder that, despite life’s challenges and losses, our stories continue to flow, and we find meaning by embracing them. Rating: 5

—Thomas Anderson, Editor-in-Chief,  Literary Titan

Lisa Rose and karla k. morton discuss poetry and AI

karla k. morton is a professional speaker, award-winning author, photographer, the 2010 Texas Poet Laureate, and a member of the Texas Institute of Letters. Described as “one of the more adventurous voices in American poetry,” she has been featured on Good Morning Texas, NPR, PBS, ABC News, CBS News and in countless newspapers, blogs, and magazines. Find her online at kkmorton.com

We have a new project in the works with karla k. morton and three amazing, talented friends: Alan Birkelbach, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bob Boze Bell. Santa Fe Trail: Chasing the Big West is available to preorder now!