This article reviews Bethany Handley's poetry pamphlet 'Cling Film,' focusing on the poem 'Poem in which I’m a transnational drug smuggler.' The review highlights Handley's sharp, witty, and scathing portrayal of ableism and the daily prejudices faced by people with disabilities. The featured poem uses a first-person narrative to describe an intrusive airport security search, where the narrator calmly imagines bags of coke stashed in her wheelchair cushion, a sardonic response to the dehumanizing experience. Other poems in the collection, like 'The Heath' and 'A Swift’s Flight,' explore disorientations, enhanced bodily awareness, and direct critiques of official idiocy, demonstrating Handley's artistry and activism.
Poem of the week: Poem in which I’m a transnational drug smuggler by Bethany Handley
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️This article reviews Bethany Handley's poetry pamphlet 'Cling Film,' focusing on the poem 'Poem in which I’m a transnational drug smuggler.' The review highlights Handley's sharp, witty, and scathing portrayal of ableism and the daily prejudices faced by people with disabilities. The featured poem uses a first-person narrative to describe an intrusive airport security search, where the narrator calmly imagines bags of coke stashed in her wheelchair cushion, a sardonic response to the dehumanizing experience. Other poems in the collection, like 'The Heath' and 'A Swift’s Flight,' explore disorientations, enhanced bodily awareness, and direct critiques of official idiocy, demonstrating Handley's artistry and activism.
- Increased awareness of ableism and the challenges faced by people with disabilities
- Potential for readers to gain new perspectives on disability
What: A review of Bethany Handley's poetry pamphlet 'Cling Film,' specifically analyzing the poem 'Poem in which I’m a transnational drug smuggler' and its themes of ableism and disability.
When: 'This week's poem'; 'recent pamphlet'.
Where: Cardiff (mentioned in 'A Swift's Flight').
Why: To highlight the experiences of people with disabilities, expose ableism, and showcase Bethany Handley's poetic artistry and activism.
How: The review analyzes the poem's narrative, imagery, and tone, and discusses other poems in the collection to illustrate Handley's themes and techniques.