Abstract:
This thesis is comprised of narrative poems which focus on the author’s experiences at
home and abroad. The sections are ordered anachronistically, each one taking place in one of
three countries: the United States, China, or Thailand. The collection incorporates
undercurrents of magical realism, and the symbolic imagery is primarily rooted in nature;
thunder, floods, fowl, fish, and insects resurface throughout. The poet travels to Asia in
hopes of transforming her outlook on life, ultimately finding herself still isolated and
frequently reflecting on events from her past. Despite her loneliness, a change in perspective
gradually occurs partially due to her exploration of Buddhism. This collection elucidates the
changes which took place in the author’s life over the course of her travels and as a result of
her formative experiences in childhood and adolescence.
