Toxic Flora by Kimiko Hahn

There is something vital

about the Passiflora auriculata,

which over a million years varied its cyanogens

to discourage feasting insects...

In "Toxic Flora", a collection of poems by Kimiko Hahn published in 2009, Hahn explores topics such as family and adolescence, but through the lens of clippings from the New York Times' science section. Her poetry, while emotionally powerful, utilizes scientific phenomena and terminology as a lens for understanding the world. 

What does this demonstrate about toxins

or residence?

Or carrying around a portion of the childhood home

where the father instructs the daughter on the uses of poison

then accuses her of being so potent?

To read more, check out her book for sale on Amazon, or read this article about her in the New York Times.