In the Grip of Strange Thoughts: Anatomical Theater (Paperback)

Few of Andrei Sen-Senkov's patients and colleagues know of his status as one of Russia's better-known contemporary poets, but he doesn't lose much sleep over this. Indeed, in person Sen-Senkov exhibits none of the pathos of the Inspired Lyricist. He is just as likely to complain about the weather, bemoan the latest political or natural disaster, or exclaim breathlessly over a newly discovered jazz musician as he is to discuss poetry. And when you read his poems, it all makes sense: for Sen-Senkov, anything can be poetry, everything is poetry.

Born in 1968 in Dushanbe (now capital of Tajikistan), Sen-Senkov moved to central Russia following the break-up of the Soviet Union. He moved to Moscow in the beginning of the 2000s and joined the city's lively literary scene, although he works primarily as a gynecologist. His involvement in literary life has been as eclectic and wide-ranging as his choice of subjects: a tireless advocate of artistic innovation, Sen-Senkov participates in events devoted to visual poetry, sound poetry, video poetry, and other multidisciplinary endeavors, as well as traditional poetry readings.

Sen-Senkov's poetry comes across easily and well in translation. Some of his imaginative leaps are more obscure than others, but this only increases the pleasure gained from following them. As a poet he is anti-hermetic--he writes to be understood, and he is generous in sharing his observations. Translators and English-language readers alike can delight in the fact that the intuitive logic of his imagination essentially transcends linguistic boundaries.