Short Takes

Through the Senses

Essays that I read and would recommend: 

"Night Song" by Stephen Kuusisto
"Postcards" by Lawrence Sutin
"Book War" by Wang Ping***

***Of these three essays, I would have to say this one is my favorite. While it is incredibly short, Ping conveys the story's meaning very strongly. It is amazing to see the author's experience. 

Analysis of "Night Song"

Kuusisto’s imagery is extremely vivid. This can especially be seen through his use of the senses smell, taste, touch, hearing and even sight.  He begins his memory of the singing of the women of the Artic people.” He continues this with my favorite description in the essay, his experience of touching a horse, “Judging by his breathing, his slow release of air, that sound of a concertina, judging by this, I am nearly beside him. And so I reach out and there is the great wet fruit of his nose, the velvet bone of his enormous face. And we stand there together for a little while, all alive and all alone.” Through the entire piece, he allows the reader to relate and visualize his experiences as a blind kid.