Interview with Fiona Zerbst about Oleander

October 28th, 2009 by Colleen

Janet van Heerden interviewed Modjaji author, Fiona Zerbst about her new collection of poems, Oleander. The interview was published on Litnet recently. Read more here

Mediocre poems are just not good enough.
Fiona Zerbst’s fourth collection of poetry, Oleander, shows a poet at the height of her craft. Zerbst confronts a diverse range of subject, from the ephemeral Butterflies, Moths and Wings to grittier topics such as the aftermath of Cambodia’s brutal past in Remembering S-21, Cambodia. All are approached with masterly skill. Zerbst’s control of poetic traditions enlivens her thought-provoking poetry. She is able to wield her pen with a surgeon’s skill as she dissects all aspects of the human condition. It’s a long time since I’ve read poetry which was written with such technical prowess while also resonating with the sensitivities of its perceptive author.