'Townend is unafraid to enter the world as an equal, even as a form of prey as she disappears "through a keyhole" embracing the lesson of a tearing bite that shows her "how the deer" can "sing" her way to "the stars." A sense of being held and witnessed extends to readers and makes this collection shine, for Townend expands limited notions of "us" with resolve and empathy. Because the voice of the poet wants to see and share from a place of wise and responsible generosity, Walking with Elephants offers all of us a precious gift.' (Publication abstract)
'Townend is unafraid to enter the world as an equal, even as a form of prey as she disappears "through a keyhole" embracing the lesson of a tearing bite that shows her "how the deer" can "sing" her way to "the stars." A sense of being held and witnessed extends to readers and makes this collection shine, for Townend expands limited notions of "us" with resolve and empathy. Because the voice of the poet wants to see and share from a place of wise and responsible generosity, Walking with Elephants offers all of us a precious gift.' (Publication abstract)
