MICHAELA'S WRITING
'ICARUS ISN'T DEAD: Poems for the Starving Artist' by Michaela Conley is a poignant and powerful collection that blends raw vulnerability with sharp wit. The poems are a cacophony of emotions, much like the internal monologues of a starving artist grappling with self-doubt, societal expectations, and the unyielding pursuit of creativity.
The title itself 'ICARUS ISN'T DEAD' is a striking metaphore. Icarus, traditionally symbolic of ambition and hubris, falls victim to his own flight toward unattainable heights. However, in Conley's hands, Icarus is not a fallen hero but one who endures, broken yet alive. The collection takes this mythological figure and reimagines him as a metaphore for the modern artist - one who is perpetually striving, faltering, yet never fully defeated.
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The poems in this collection tackle themes such as imposter syndrome, identity, and personal growth. "CONAS A DEIREANN TÚ 'IMPOSTER SYNDROME' AS GAEILGE?" stands out with its clever juxtaposition of the Irish language and the universal theme of feeling like a fraud. It's a brilliant exploration of self-doubt that speaks to a wider existential crisis. Conley uses language to its fullest potential, mixing wit, cultural references, and personal anecdotes that keep the reader engaged while exploring deeper emotional territory.​​
The collection doesn't shy away from life's complexities. In "THE PALE," Conley offers an unsettling yet beautiful reflection on resilience in the face of adversity. This theme is carried throughout the book, particularly in "RESILIENCE" and "CREID," where the speaker repeatedly faces hardship but refuses to succumb, ultimately finding a glimmer of strength.​
"SELF TAPES IN MY KITCHEN" is another stand-out piece, providing a snapshot of a modern artist's struggle, where personal and professional lives often blur, creating a fractured sense of self. Conley skillfully uses the mundane - a kitchen setting - as a backdrop for the inner turmoil of a performers self-examination. This grounding in ordinary spaces makes the poet's exploration of larger-than-life ideas feel intimate and accessible.​
The collection balances the mundane with the surreal, as in "A LITTLE BLASPHEMY (YOU KNOW, AS A TREAT)," where Conley offers a biting critique of the constraints society places on the artist and the ways in which they are expected to both be humble and extraordinary at the same time. The poetic voice here is defiant, playful, and deeply human.​
Throughout the book, Conley also delves into the fragility of human connection. Poems like "I'LL LOVE YOU TO RUIN" and "MAYBE I'M GRIEVING" present deeply personal meditations on love, loss, and the uncertainty that lingers in relationships. These poems are drenched in emotional tension, offering readers a window into the poet's raw emotional landscape.​
The collection also shines in its use of language. There are moments of humor ("F*CK YOU, EMILY DICKENSON (I WAS PROMISED FEATHERS)"), where Conley flips expectations and disrupts the literary canon with playful irreverence, as well as quieter moments of reflection and introspection. The fluidity with which Conley moves between these tones speaks to the versatility of the poet and the complexity of the human experience.​
The poems in 'ICARUS ISN'T DEAD' are filled with both grit and grace. The title suggests a tragic end to a figure soaring too high, but Conley's poems speak to the tenacity of the human spirit, the resilience that exists even in the face of failure, and the fierce pursuit of art, love, and identity. This collection is for anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world, faced an inner demon, or found the courage to keep creating despite the odds. With every turn of the page, Conley proves that the artist, like Icarus, might still rise, even if it's at great cost.
​In summary, Michaela Conley's 'ICARUS ISN'T DEAD' is an evocative collection that pulls the reader into the depths of the artist's journey - full of struggle, brilliance, and persistence. It's a celebration of the beautiful mess that is the human experience and a testament to the power of art to survive and thrive even when it feels like it all might come crashing down.
Danielle Holian
Writer - Publicist - Photographer