Growing up in and out of foster care, Asta Olivia Nordenhof was constantly surrounded by social workers writing notes about her. Thus, she decided, “if my life is going to be written down, I’m going to be the one doing it.” She is now a bestselling Danish poet. Her book, Det nemme og det ensomme, sold 10,000 copies, which is unprecedented for a work of poetry in Denmark.
Nordenhof describes herself as part of a new generation that focuses on the body, feminism, and less trust in political institutions. Thus, her poetry is inherently political—questioning and exploring solutions for modern-day problems. Perhaps one can say this is true for most poetry nowadays. During politically turbulent times, context imposes itself upon the work and begs the reader to consider its role in the text. Art is political, love is political, existence is political. Nordenhof conveyed a similar sentiment, explaining, “I didn’t choose to be political, but I couldn’t choose not to be.” The Easiness and the Loneliness, the English translation of Det nemme og det ensomme, is a beautiful example of this politicizing of life and writing. She brings up questions about gendered socialization and suggests that even commonplace entities, like crime TV shows, contribute to “the deeply entrenched hatred of women” (58) that permeate many societies.
Her critique of society continues as she combats the notion that not working signifies immorality and laziness. Her poetry prompts readers to reflect on the extent to which this idea is embedded within society. From childhood, people are fed the narrative that money promises happiness and worth is contingent upon success. The constant push towards productivity contributes to an absolutist perception of people’s abilities and needs. Rather than being composed of individuals with different situations, society becomes comparable to a machine.
Using the examples of a sign painter writing “no coloured allowed” on a sign, immigration staff members, and judges, Nordenhof forces the reader to consider situations in which duty and devotion to work overcome morality. When we prioritize work above morality, how do we retain our humanity? The mindset she calls into question seems to also be a symptom of the absolutist perception of work and duty. It fails to account for individual circumstances, while assuming the inherent morality of those who make and enforce rules.
Nordenhof’s work resists this falsely homogenous portrayal of society. Through poetry, she comforts those who cannot work, and reminds readers that joy and beauty are not reserved for the well-off. They exist in the quotidian occurrences and relationships that make up every individual’s life. The same holds true for pain and ugliness. No life can be reduced to a singular thing and neither can her poetry. While her work has political elements, it is imbued with a deep love that can be felt by the reader. She gives the reader a glimpse into her life, without suggesting that it is in any way complete. Reminded of the nuances of individual life, the reader must resist any temptation to fit her story into some premade box.
The Easiness and the Loneliness is a beautiful, provocative, and moving book of poetry. I look forward to Nordenhof’s future works and am grateful for the opportunity to meet her in person.