How do humans, animals and things develop over the course of their lives on earth? This is what Ghent-based Sofie Verdoodt (1983) writes about in her recently published poetry collection Anchor Cross Heart. The conclusion: we never stand still, but are constantly entangled in a web of longing, nurturing and mourning. Fortunately, there is the poet to give us a foothold: just when we think we are going head-first, Verdoodt throws out her anchor.
This promising Flemish made her debut in 2014 with Doodwater. A PhD in art studies, she teaches and writes essays on film and art. Anchor Cross Heart won the audience award of The Great Poetry Prize 2024.