KNOT Magazine
Fall Issue 2022
Linda Ibbotson Reviews Poison
by Kinga Fabó
This is a bi-lingual, Indonisian- English publication and I firstly applaud the achievement, challenge
and hard work involved in translation of poetry.
Kinga’s poems exude originality. The first poem ‘Isadora Duncan Dancing’ sets the precedent,
bringing energy and sensuality by means of visually powerful and harmonious imagery.
“Like sculpture at first. Then, as if the sun rose in her, long gesture”
It is as if Kinga takes you by the hand and dances through many facets, revealing not only passion,
beauty and grace but also encompassing raw and honest experiences.
Her poem reminds me of the theatrical in ‘Among Dusty Stage Props’ and expresses sensitivity and is
intuitive, reflecting upon universal pain that usually tends to remain buried in life’s crevices.
She conveys a deep yearning In ‘Not Because It’s Chic’ “I exist only in roles. I want colors! Colors!”
and cleverly weaves philosophy into both the imagined and real “a Salingerish Zen koan came to
mind / this /Which way do the sunflowers turn in the night /” quote from the poem ‘Snowqueensnowking'
Kinga has a vivid and evocative use of language and paints her words with colour and metaphor.
“The song painted on the wall falls down.” In Half Circles and “Open, the sea appeared asleep.
Carrying its waves. A pulse under the muted winter scene. Throwing a smile on the beach.”
A poetry book that delves deeply into the emotions of desire, triumphs and fragility, words that
stimulate the senses, each hand sewn with a poetic thread, one that resembles a tapestry of light
and shade.
A book that enriches the soul, a thoroughly enjoyable and meaningful read.
(Kinga Fabó RACUN/POISON, bilingual (Indonesian-English) poetry book, Teras Budaya,
Jakarta, Indonesia, 2015.)
Linda Ibbotson poet, artist and photographer has published in various international
journals including Mad Swirl, Porter Gulch Review, The Inspired Heart, Virtuoso,
Episteme and Levure Litteraire 9. In 2014 one of her poems ‘A Celtic Legacy’ was performed in France at a number of venues by Irish musician and performer Davog Rynne. In addition, Linda was invited in May 2015 to be one of the 3 judges for the Rabindranath Tagore Award International in India. Her painting ‘Cascade’ was used as a CD cover ‘OUTSIDE’ by Irish musician Tony Floyd Kenna in May 2015. Ibbotson resides in County Cork, Ireland.
Kinga Fabó is a widely published, internationally known Hungarian poet (linguist, essayist). Her bilingual (Indonesian-English) poetry book has just come out. Further translations of her poetry into other foreign languages are being in progress. She has an essay on Sylvia Plath as well.
Fabó lives in Budapest, Hungary.