In his debut poetry collection, “Sonarification,” Harry Matthews explores the profound parallels between the world of underwater sonar navigation and the poetic process. This collection is an exploration of the echoes and reverberations of human experience, resonating through the depths of memory, imagination, and the subconscious.

The concept of Sonarification, as Matthews presents it, is a metaphor for the poet’s journey. Just as sonar emits sound waves to explore and understand the unseen depths of the ocean, Matthews uses his poetry to navigate the often uncharted waters of human emotion and experience. Each poem is a ‘ping’ sent out into the depths of the psyche, with the echoes that return painting a vivid picture of the poet’s internal landscape.

The collection is divided into sections, each resonating with a different frequency of the human experience. From the infrasonic rumbles of deep, unspoken emotions to the ultrasonic clarity of sharp, conscious thought, Matthews captures a spectrum of feelings and thoughts that often remain submerged beneath the surface of everyday life.

Sonarification also touches on the impact of human technologies on the natural world, particularly marine life. The poems echo the dissonance between the natural biosonar of dolphins and whales and the disruptive frequencies of man-made sonar. Matthews draws a poignant parallel here, suggesting that just as sonar can disorient marine life, so too can the cacophony of modern life drown out the inner voice and truth of human beings.

This collection is a journey into the depths, encouraging readers to listen to the echoes of their own inner sonar. Matthews’ poetry serves as a guide, leading readers through the dark waters of the unknown and the unexpressed, towards a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Sonarification is not just a collection of poems; it’s an invitation to listen more closely to the world within and around us, to discover what lies beneath the surface, waiting to be understood and explored. Harry Matthews, with his striking imagery and profound insight, emerges as a significant new voice in contemporary poetry.

Sonarification

• Title: Sonarification
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry Matthews (24 Dec. 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 126 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1838349804
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1838349806
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.85 x 0.76 x 19.84 cm

Review: Sonarification (Poems I-XXII)

Review: Sonarification (Poems XXII-XLVIII)