Air Raid

Air Raid by Polina Barskova, published by Ugly Duckling Presse in 2021, presents a new translation of the work of a prominent contemporary Russian poet. This edition, comprising 153 pages, delves into the profound impact of the Siege of Leningrad, a catastrophic event that lasted 872 days and left a lasting mark on the city and its people. Barskova’s poetry explores the complexities of memory and language in the face of historical trauma, reflecting on the limitations of words in conveying the weight of such experiences.

Readers will encounter a collection of polyphonic poems that challenge traditional poetic forms, addressing themes of loss and the struggle for expression in the aftermath of devastation. The work engages with the silence and fragmentation that often accompany catastrophe, prompting reflections on how language can grapple with the unspeakable. This edition invites readers to consider the intersections of poetry, history, and the human condition, as Barskova confronts the muteness and stutter of English in her exploration of these profound subjects.