Two Tongue World

Two Tongue World is a richly evocative collection of poems by the Greek/Australian poet, Maria Koukouva. Sub titled, The Diaspora Dialogues, the poems are indeed a dialogue between past and present, between the cultures of origin and upbringing, between the generations of a family.

Deeply personal, these poems will strike a chord with everyone affected by the migrant experience and will enlighten and enthrall those who have not had to live through the upheaval of migration. Koukouva unflinchingly confronts the pain and exultation of growing up in the baffling world of the new migrant. She chronicles her growing up at once enveloped and estranged from the culture of her origin, the pain of trying to fit into a new world, and the maturation of a love and acceptance of the cultures, new and old, which have shaped her.

This is an important collection. Koukouva brings a wonderfully sharp observation to her poems. They are at once clever, poignant, loving, enraged, joyful, and profound.