The minor inconveniences of infidelities
"I didn’t set out to write a book about cheating, love, loss, and toxic relationships.” But in the end that’s exactly what Jacksonville FL writer Nicole Zwolinski did.
If “The Minor Inconveniences of Infidelities” is meant to take the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions regarding the aforementioned topics, it’s mostly a rollercoaster that’s madly careening downhill.
The soft lyricism of Zwolinski’s poetic voice throughout the ride is deceptively soothing, for no sooner is the reader led to believe they may be up for comforting episode of solace, than the poet will lash out with yet another heart-wrenching truism that hits like a concrete wall.
At times an honest discussion on the loves and losses that affect us all, at others a mad screaming dash to the very brink of lunacy, “The Minor Inconveniences...” represents a noteworthy new voice in the NE Florida literary scene, and we are honored to now include it in the Happy Tapir Press canon.
Johnny Masiulewicz,
Happy Tapir Press
The Shapes I've Been
The Shapes I’ve Been is Zwolinski’s second chapbook and weaves poetry of childhood innocence with writing that addresses the harsh realities of the body image issues that are anchored to ballet dancers. The pages evolve into poetry of motherhood, and we learn that body dysmorphia isn’t merely an affliction that is exclusive to ballerinas, but in fact, is a common obsession due to societal influence and pressure. One poem features the audacity of a man informing the speaker “not to have children because it will ruin her body” to which she internalizes and carries with her but ultimately ignores. The titular poem closes out the book and couples a move across country with body image issues – loathing her body while loving being a mother. Ultimately the poetry highlights superficial struggles that leave deep scars carved into bones and while uncomfortable or raw, the words are beautifully compiled to elevate the strain of disorders to the surface.