In Jin A Song's collection, Pacific Bridge, an astonishing
array of talent is displayed as she reminisce about her mother
country, South Korea, her relationship with her father, and her
meditations on life. The original emotion and fresh insight touch
each of her subjects. In "If You Ever Try to Find My Home,
Follow Traces I Leave", for instance, a voice colorfully leads
the reader to her home in Pusan. In "My Dad" she
excellently describes her love for her father, who at times out of
loneliness drinks with his buddies, but is always willing to make
the long journey to the U.S. to see her daughter. In the
"Melancholy" and "Silence" sections, she
exhibits the ability to tap into the darker side of life. But in
the "Homeland", "Father", and
"Nature" sections, she often taps into a brighter side of
life showing us that she is not a one-dimensional poet. At times
when reading this book, we are reminded of the ever-changing social
dynamics in this world. We are also reminded of the beauty that
travels and out-of-placeness creates. The book helps us understand
that we are all citizens of the world.
