driftwood atlas: poems

Relationships are beautiful and hard. Raising children is a magical challenge in the best of circumstances. The second Trump presidency has created an intensely hostile climate for many people, including transgendered people. In the words of Toi Derricote, “Joy is an act of resistance.” Love endures. Through English-language haiku and haibun, driftwood atlas traces the experience of being a parent and a partner in this rancorous, dynamic moment in time."From the opening haibun in driftwood atlas, we are led into a deeply personal space that Aidan has unveiled for us. Here, he shares his moments of vulnerability, pain, and bliss; moments that are made vivid when seen through the raw beauty of the Pacific northwest. Each poem is an unabashed declaration of this is me, these are my people. We are awed by the intensity of his honesty and honored by his trust in us to be thoughtful stewards of this intimacy. A truly tender collection that invites readers to slow down and be moved."— Antoinette Cheung"If an atlas is a collection of maps, Castle’s latest book, driftwood atlas, charts the many ongoing journeys in the life of a transgendered person, including that of a new parent, a lover and partner, and the concerns that one feels for loved ones in times of uncertainty. The language of each poem locates us in a familiar yet unknown territory, a place filled with many unexpected connections that open us to new possibilities, and we’re excited to explore them as we get our bearings. Castle reveals a life of conscious choices, and dreams, and love, and joy in being alive, so much so that we too are inspired to seek joy in the daily experiences of our lives, however challenging."— Victor Ortiz Read more