Reviewed by Magdalena Ball
How To Order Eggs Sunny Side Up
By Lisa Collyer
Gazebo Books
ISBN: 9780645633764, 168 pp, September 2023, RRP: $26.95
Lisa Collyer’s collection, How to Order Eggs Sunny Side Up, is a visceral exploration of various themes, including infertility, aging, beauty, desire, and the interconnectedness of these aspects. At 168 pages, the book offers a luxurious feel with poems printed on one side of the page, allowing for reflection. Divided into five sections, the book encompasses a wide range of topics, with eggs being a prominent and recurring motif. The use of eggs is symbolic, evoking poignant and lighthearted meanings throughout the collection.
Throughout the book, the theme of infertility is delicately woven, intertwining notions of childlessness with the experience of being a woman in the modern world. Eggs serve as symbols of beauty, loss, and hunger, illustrating fundamental desires. The title poem beautifully delves into the origins of words and their boundaries, particularly within the female body.
The poems artfully depict perceptions that are abstract and transformative, often centered around the feminine experience. Even in domestic settings, there is a constant sense of discovery and connectivity, blurring the distinctions between people, nature, and time. Collyer’s writing navigates a spectrum of emotions, from desire to loss, and most poignantly, illness.
Many of the poems are inspired by various objects, articles, novels, films, and other literary works, incorporating diverse references that add depth to the collection. The book also engages with broader societal issues, such as the impact of human actions on ecosystems and the climate.
As the collection progresses, the poems take on a playful tone, infusing elements of irony and humor to address topics like the beauty industry, consumerism, and the objectification of women. This subtle but pervasive humor enhances the multifaceted nature of the work, incorporating sound elements, visual poems, and puns. Ultimately, How To Order Eggs Sunny Side Up is a bold and sophisticated debut that offers a rich and dense reading experience, deserving of multiple engagements.
