This week I’ve been putting the final touches on my thesis manuscript, which is due next week. Yesterday I filled out my application to graduate, which requested a blurb on what the thesis is actually about. Although most of my poems fit in 3 or 4 definite thematic sections, there are by necessity a few random ones, and coming up with an over-arching theme that touches on everything wasn’t something I’d really done. In fact, I didn’t think I even had an over-arching theme.

Interestingly, I ended up finding one fairly easily. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m an expert BS’er or because it really existed in my subconscious all along. I like to think it’s the latter. And once I’d found it, I realized that my title was all wrong. And then when I changed my title to reflect the Big Theme, I realized that the final section needed to be completely re-ordered. The good news is that I figured all of this out before submitting it for review.

If you’re curious, the title is Uncertain Balance.

And the blurb?

Uncertain Balance is a four-section collection of primarily narrative poetry exploring themes of imbalance and displacement in terms of physical location, atmosphere, and the emotions that stem from the loneliest and most challenging moments we face in our lives. The collection focuses specifically on the displacements of childhood within family transitions, in the transition to adulthood and parenthood, as well as the cultural displacements and discoveries of the adoption process, for both biological and adoptive parents, as well as the child herself.

Riveting, no? (Ha. Don’t answer that.)

I reckon once the thesis is done and I start working with the manuscript as an actual book instead of a thesis, things will change somewhat. In fact, an entire section will be coming out, which will make the narrative arc and overall theme much clearer.  (And with any luck, publishable.)