By Brittany Bentley
Stellar Atmospheres by Alicia Sometimes is a stunning collection of small galaxies—poems that explore and push both time and space itself. Sometimes is not a scientist but has worked alongside scientists to explore her curiosity for astronomy and physics. The collection draws heavily on complex scientific ideas and theories, weaving STEM language with vivid storytelling and metaphor, that makes the cosmos both accessible and spellbinding. Sometimes is thankful “to be suspended in language” with us and this is an apt description for how it feels to journey through her words. Each stanza seems to hold you in a delicate balance between thought and emotion. I am pulled between wanting to Google words and people she mentions and wanting to stay immersed within the poem itself and let it marinate. This collection will resonate with readers who are interested in the relationship between science and art, and those who want to explore the mysteries of the universe. Sometimes also writes for those who appreciate revisionist, historical narratives and feminist poetry that reclaims the overlooked contributions of women in history.
The scientific vocabulary and references intertwined throughout are both immersive and profoundly intimate. Sometimes uses vivid descriptions and spatial formatting to emphasise distances and the intangible nature of her subject:
Here she skilfully manipulates space on the page to evoke both the celestial and the earthly, creating a tension between the scientific and the sensual with words like ‘smouldering’ and ‘scintillation’. The staggered lines seem to mimic the gradual expanding of the universe itself, leaving the reader suspended between each fragment.
Sometimes manipulates the space on the page delicately and sporadically, just enough to not overwhelm you. Each formatting choice is deliberate and enhances the message and reading experience:
There is a quiet intensity in the way she blends the knowable—the tiny simplicity of our earth—with the unknowable, and the completely ungraspable enormity of the universe. To ground us in this infinite space, Sometimes reminds us of our own temporality, and that eventually we must succumb to death:
Sometimes seamlessly fuses scientific concepts with metaphysical reflection, using the language of physics and astronomy to express the fragile, transient nature of human life. Her purposeful imagery suggests that while we are a part of the universe’s vast machinery, we are also on a trajectory (whether we acknowledge it or ignore it) towards our own end, blending awe with existential contemplation.
There are beautiful explorations and acknowledgment of female scientists, astronomers, physicists, mathematicians and engineers throughout the collection, which I regret to admit I had never heard of previously: Vera Rubin, Caroline Herschel, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, Mae Jemison, Carolyn Beatrice Parker, Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Emmy Noether. You can find these trailblazing women throughout the collection, with Sometimes paying homage in different poems, acknowledging their contributions that were often stolen, dismissed, or obscured through history. She honours their intellectual and scientific triumphs, reminding us of their perseverance in the face of societal and academic exclusion, encapsulating the recurring theme of recognition denied, yet brilliance enduring:
The contrast between ‘overlooked’ and yet ‘observed’ feels especially powerful, emphasizing how Rubin’s work, and the research and discoveries of other female scientists, continue to shape our understanding of the universe.
It was a thrill to see some great cultural references throughout the collection. It was like star gazing but instead of excitedly locating Sirius or Alpha Centauri in the night sky, I was spotting Nyota Uhura, Patti Smith, Salt-N-Pepa, Joan Jett, Lego, vanilla ice cream, Christmas cards and mango juice. Sometimes’ inclusion of modern references grounds her cosmic and highly intellectual work in the present, adding layers of nostalgia and pop culture as touch points to pull you back down to earth. She fusions the everyday with the extraordinary and has delightful easter eggs for the nerdy millennial reader.
Sometimes has been a spoken word poet for over 30 years and this collection is a seamless transition to the page. Her previous two poetry collections are kissing the curve and Soundtrack, but these seem to be out of print. She brings a unique depth and intricacy to her written work, with refined pacing and sounds that bring the same immediacy and emotional resonance that characterises her live performances. Many poems seem to only work on the page, with word placement and letter spacing choices showing her effortless transition to printed poetry.
Stellar Atmospheres is a stunning collection of free verse poems, where Sometimes effectively wields line length, grouping, integrity, and sensory imagery variation to explore the nuances of the ordinary and the complexities of the cosmos. Sometimes also draws on the tradition of feminist poetics, with the spotlight on reclaiming the legacies of female scientists, which is also in line with a revisionist historical narrative. She takes an interdisciplinary approach, writing about her own personal reflections with an intricate and deep scientific understanding of astrophysics, astronomy and cosmology. Her fragmented, experimental structure creates a sense of discovery, and her imagism of the minutiae of everyday life contrasted with cosmic matter, celestial bodies and astronomical objects portrays a sense of introspective and humble wonder.
Bask in a Nebula, come alive in Fusion, journey to Red Giants and drink Champagne while reading the poems in Supernova. Sometimes has created a mini universe for all poetry lovers to explore and enjoy.
Stellar Atmospheres was published in 2024 by Cordite Publishing Inc. It is available on the Cordite Books website: https://corditebooks.org.au/products/stellar-atmospheres.
