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Madagascar is a powerful new collection by one of Canada's best known poets and journalists, Douglas Fetherling. Ever since his first book exploded on the poetry scene in the 1960s, the writer has always been one recognized as breaking new ground. In this newest collection -- his first in many years -- the Toronto poet takes on the subject of death. he studies its ambiguities, challenges the cliches, pokes fun at it. It is this wry attitude that makes for a fascinating read. In effect, it takes the mystery out of death. In one instance, he sets up a quiz and asks: What is our proper relationship with those already dead? Choose one of the following: (A) terror; (B) a warm sense of continuity; (C) desperation leading to futility; (D) a love of shared experience. (Sorry, can't decide.) In another instance, Fetherling is more intentional in his attitude. He writes: "Avoid evil and try to do good. Die stubbornly. Sorry about the past." This collection also includes some rare translations from Martial, or Marcus Valerius Martialis, a Spanish-born Roman poet of the first century. Fetherling has translated these poems from Latin.They, too, deal with death, but violent death, and comment upon persecution.
