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Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite
Field Work by Sarah Estes is a collection of forty-seven poems, divided into four sections, ranging from topics of survival, grief, remembrance, and discovery. The poems are short, but packed full of thoughtful imagery that demands a second, and third, reading. As an English teacher for many years, I reinforced the fact with my students that a poem required several readings before the reader could fully appreciate the content. Read it silently, read it out loud, then read it again. Sarah Estes has provided the perfect collection that demands multiple readings. Field Work reflects a more literal meaning in its strong metaphorical symbolism that binds physical labor to emotional exercise.
“Service” in particular resonates for this reader with strong images of military references during one reading and prison (both literal and figurative) images in the next reading. “Suburbia” takes a surprising turn from the first line to the last that challenges the reader with a concrete meaning. I believe my favorite poem in this collection is “Hospitality.” Not only is it consistent with the free verse format of Estes’ non-rhyming poetry, this poem also offers a definitive narrative theme. “A man has escaped from the local asylum.” This first line is an absolute hook. Of course there is a surprise lesson learned by the participant in this verbal escape that offers a multitude of possible scenarios. With the brief length of her poems, the poet has offered the perfect content for the reluctant reader of verse. I really enjoyed this wonderful collection of poems.
