the unnumbered anniversaries by kurt olsson

Publisher: Fernwood Press (2025)

Language: English

Softcover, 85 pages

Genre: Poetry

ISBN: 978-1-59498-171-5

Reviewed by: Christy Hoff

The shadows felt and hope found in overcoming loss.

the unnumbered anniversaries by Kurt Olsson offers the humble yet pithy sarcasm of a pragmatist. This meaty work of poetry offers many small bites that accumulate in weight and intensity.

Olsson does not miss a chance to poke a bit of fun and humility to himself. Using a quote from Raymond Chandler as an opening to the work foreshadows his own sense of inadequacy in communicating his ideas. Yet, I found myself nodding and sympathizing with many of his self reflections.

Without any sections or separations, you are free to proceed through 59 pieces at your own pace. Two common threads wind through the book: failure of a relationship and the effects of human failings.

The title piece is not found up front, setting the mood. It is discovered after warming up to the pace and timing of Olsson’s work. Trying to put in words the feelings embodied in a lost partner, though still alive but forever lost. Unexplainable, like the lack of capital letters in the book title, but found in the title piece. There is a path of similes that end with

“Like a blue door

The morning you gave up caring.”

Poetry is as much about timing as a good joke. Sometimes they are the same thing, as in Anecdotes. Olsson details exploring the language barrier, the hopes of building a relationship with student, and the tactful salvage of his pride. Again in Sixty Pieces of Word the anomaly of 59 words leaves us wondering where the 60 comes in. He highlights the feelings of loss in

“The poem you read now…

and now end nowhere

you need ever remember.”

In The Correct Use of Each Other an anecdote is slowly revealed. Olsson is a master at feeding details in small indescriminant pieces. The revelation at the end showing you were led astray, as in

“…and how the parakeet one second was chirping on his should

and the next he was collapsed on the floor dead of a stroke.”

It is worthy of time and introspection. The call to action and self examination makes the unnumbered anniversaries a collection on which to ruminate.

Christy Hoff released her first book of poetry Breath Mark in 2025 and served as 2025 ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence. Hoff leads a local writer’s workshop. Her piece Is Was Will received an honorable mention in the WWA Jade Ring contest. Several anthologies have included Hoff’s work including the WFOP 2025 and 2027 calendars.