Past & Parallel Lives (Kaya Ortiz, UWA Publishing)

In their debut poetry collection, Past & Parallel Lives, Kaya Ortiz explores what it means to wrestle with your identity and find belonging. Their poetry strikes a balance between grounded storytelling and whimsical metaphors, creating a familiar and vulnerable tone that makes this collection feel like the diary of a close friend. The theme of belonging, particularly as an immigrant, is the most compelling and visceral thread throughout the work. However, I felt the second major theme – Ortiz’s exploration of their sexuality – was less polished, with the poems on this subject lacking the same depth and craft as those about migration. The collection is divided into three sections: ‘requiem’, ‘reincarnation’ and ‘revelation’. ‘Requiem’ has a clear sense of direction and place in the collection, whereas ‘reincarnation’ and ‘revelation’ feel repetitive and unfocused at times. Although Ortiz often paints vivid pictures with their words, some niche pop-cultural references feel out of place within the work, making the reading experience slightly jarring and limiting accessibility for those unfamiliar with the references. ‘Uli’, ‘Memoir’ and ‘Etymology of paalam’ are standout poems, showcasing Ortiz’s skill at taking uncomfortable topics and translating them into beautiful poetry. Past & Parallel Lives is a rich reading experience that will likely resonate most with seasoned poetry readers, as Ortiz experiments with form and rhythm. The collection is ideal for fans of Fatimah Asghar, as both authors excel when writing about deeply personal experiences.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Tierney Khan is a freelance book reviewer and writer from Naarm/Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews