Ylva Gripfelt Uses Banality as a Stylistic Device in the Grief Process

In her latest collection, Ylva Gripfelt masterfully employs the seemingly mundane to dissect the profound ache of heartbreak. This is not a poetry of grand pronouncements, but one that finds its power in the raw, often awkward, reality of emotional turmoil. Gripfelt dives headfirst into the clichés of sorrow, not to shy away from them, but to wrestle them into new, potent forms of expression. The result is a collection that resonates with a disarming authenticity, mirroring the way we often process grief in our own lives – through fragmented thoughts and familiar, yet deeply felt, phrases.

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if one could, one would peel off this armor of tears/ until one found a tear that was real.

What sets Gripfelt's exploration of a breakup apart is her unflinching gaze at the ambivalence that often accompanies separation. Even when initiating the split, the speaker grapples with regret and the terrifying realization that actions may be irreversible. This internal conflict, expressed through simple, almost childlike language like "done something stupid" or "is sad," is precisely where Gripfelt's genius lies. She understands that in the depths of emotional distress, nuance can feel impossible, and the most basic expressions often carry the heaviest weight. This deliberate use of banality is not a sign of weakness, but a sophisticated stylistic choice that elevates the poetry.

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one goes to ica and buys a can of tuna/ the world's loneliest food.

While some might dismiss these simple phrases as merely cliché, Gripfelt imbues them with a powerful, almost visceral, suggestion. The collection is peppered with sharp observations, like the poignant image of "the world's loneliest food" when purchasing tuna at the supermarket, or the striking metaphor of wanting to "peel off this armor of tears" to find a genuine emotion beneath. This is poetry that doesn't just describe sadness; it embodies it, forcing the reader to confront the uncomfortable, yet universal, experience of loss. Gripfelt's work, as reviewed here, offers a unique and deeply human perspective on a process many experience but few articulate with such raw, unvarnished skill.

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one is sad.