The Queen of Joyful Things

The Queen of Joyful Things by Amanda Latrenta Crane is about the unexpected death of her 40-year-old husband in 2020. She and her young sons lost him to a sudden cardiac arrest a week before the US went into lock down due to the pandemic. These are narrative poems that are deeply confessional, and this collection delves into grief, unconditional love, and joy in the darkest of times. Part 1 is about the events of what transpired, the ache, the magical thinking. The belief this could not be happening. The wondering of where he is and isn’t. Part 2 is the attempts of peering into the next steps in life. What happens after loss and is there such a thing as moving forward and finding hope? These poems are bold, layered, and unforgettable.