Author(s): Michelle Cahill

Poetry

This is a reissue of a Five Islands Press title following the demise of the press. From the exploration of love myths to the celebration of Mumbai, from an extraordinary portrait poem like 'Sita' to the humorous eroticism of 'Parvati in Darlinghurst', the poems in Vishvarupa show a breadth of human understanding and unassuming wisdom that matches their extraordinary verbal flair. With rich intoxications and buried longings, Cahill, in the best tradition of poetry, expands our sense of who we are. Peter Boyle Michelle Cahill spans the distance between myth and reality, Australia and India with an ardent intelligence. In beautifully polished, elegant language these poems romp and sing, and they also surprise with moments of subtle tenderness. This is a strong, disciplined, uncompromising poet who delivers probing and deeply engaging work. Judith Beveridge Transporting the reader from Darlinghurst to Mumbai, from garden to temple, these poems resonate with the author's clear-eyed wonder, quiet, precise powers of observation and gleaming turn of phrase. In a long list full of technically brilliant poets working at full stretch, Michelle Cahill's Vishvarupa was a quiet, poised delight. Judges Report, 2012 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards