marionette by Allen Vartanian
What’s it About?
In this collection of original poetry, Armenian-American poet Allen Vartanian masterfully weaves together themes of connection, manipulation, self-love and autonomy, inviting readers to reflect on and reclaim their own narratives.
we sacrifice relationships and burn bridges in the name of self-preservation … but who is really in control when our hands are forced?
Are we the masters of our own narratives? Who pulls the strings in our lives?
These are the very questions Allen Vartanian asks in his newest collection of contemporary poetry, marionette. Filled with short poems that pack a heavy punch and finely attuned illustrations that highlight the tangled narrative of love, manipulation and freedom, marionette is guaranteed to touch readers’ hearts.
The collection is broken into five sections — connection, manipulation, self-love, autonomy and reflections — with a sonnet marking the progression between each. As the titles might suggest, the poems follow a story — one filled with both melancholy and triumph.
Love, Manipulation and Freedom
It begins with a tender, loving relationship: “my thickened skin / desensitized and rough, / was penetrated by / your gentle touch.” Yet while the narrator is making this connection, there’s a sense of apprehension and foreboding, like they can’t quite trust the other person.
These conflicting feelings made this section one of my personal favorites, especially with the use of descriptive metaphors that pair visual imagery with emotional experiences: “if i left the keys in the ignition, / if i let you take control … if i trusted your directions / would you drive me off the road?”
The following section descends into feelings of anger and anguish at the partner’s duplicity, and how they manipulated the narrator like a puppet on a string. This section really solidifies the marionette metaphor, and readers will start to notice a thread of dance-related poems throughout each section.
Then the narrator explores how self-love freed them from this manipulative relationship. Readers will find the pieces in this section particularly touching and inspirational, such as this piece: “i couldn’t imagine my hips / could find their sway / without your grips … yet / they sway the same / without your existence.”
Reclaim Your Narrative
From there, the poems follow similar themes but take a slight detour. While the narrator feels freed from this manipulative relationship, their newfound autonomy leads down a dark road. Like acrophobia — the fear of heights — it was only when they reached the top and looked back down that they realized how little control they had in life. Without someone else guiding them — or pulling their strings — how could they keep from falling?
Finally, the narrator reflects on their life and current situation. How did they wind up here, alone? What regrets do they hold onto?
The message Vartanian conveys in marionette is meant to encourage readers to reflect on and reclaim their own narratives. While the collection closes on a melancholic note, the final sonnet acts as a warning to readers to not follow the same path, telling them to not proclaim “things would be different while being the reason they stay the same.”
Like all good poetry, the story is highly interpretive and allows readers to walk away with whatever they personally need from it. Everyone will find something to love within the collection, finding an emotional connection here or a spark of inspiration there.
Vartanian’s poetry is brimming with raw, poignant emotions that are heightened by his mastery of poetic language and metaphor. His openness and lyrical skill make him a compelling voice in contemporary poetry. Readers will not only be moved by his beautiful lyricism but also inspired to cut the strings that bind them and take control of their lives.
About Allen Vartanian:
Allen Vartanian, an Armenian-American poet, artist and songwriter, is more recognizable under the guise of his Instagram handle, @cdlv. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to New York City in his twenties, where he refined his artistic abilities and evolved his unique perspectives. His journey into the realm of poetry was significantly fueled by the loss of his father as a young adult, a poignant life event that drastically shaped his worldview. Born with cerebral palsy, he channels strength through vulnerability and breaking boundaries, recurrent themes intricately woven into his verse.
Publish Date: 9/5/2023
Genre: Poetry
Author: Allen Vartanian
Page Count: 144 pages
ISBN: 9798988581420
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