The Magic Border

***The Magic Border: Poetry and Fragments from My Soft Machine*** is the debut book by British singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks, published by HarperCollins and its imprints, 4th Estate and Dey Street Books, on 12 September 2023. It contains twenty original poems, *My Soft Machine* song lyrics, and exclusive photographs by Daniyel Lowden.

In a press release, she stated:

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> This book is a book about the speckles in my eyes, about what clouds my vision, about the specific beauty I see in the world," Parks explained in a press release. "Daniyel is one of my best friends, his lens is so tender, and we compliment each other in our sensitive sensibility. This work is our offering to the world — I wanted to paint a softer and more human future, I wanted to be more vulnerable than ever. I hope the work moves you and encourages you to look within.
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> Writing poetry, to me, is about profound interiority. It is about wading into the saltwater of your own body, capillaries bursting, eyes brimming, unmoored. This collection is the fruit of that inner probing. It is a tangled mass of everything that has made me angry or giddy or low or impossibly happy to be alive. It has taken me almost twenty-three years to share my poetry beyond a few trusted friends. Poetry was my place, my little clearing in the forest, where I could quietly put everything I was holding. I'm not sure what gave me the courage to open up that space to you, but here I am, doing it. I am proud to show you this personal lens that life shimmers through. This book is no longer mine. It is yours.
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## Synopsis

*The Magic Border* is the debut book from Mercury Prize-winning musician and poet Arlo Parks, combining never-before-seen poetry, song lyrics and beautiful, intimate images from collaborator, photographer Daniyel Lowden.

Featuring twenty original poems, alongside an exclusive artist’s statement and the complete lyrics from her sophomore album *My Soft Machine*, this vital collection explores the queer experience, blackness, grief, trauma and love through the eyes of the remarkable young musician.

*The Magic Border* allows readers rare insight into her creative process and beautifully showcases the full breadth of Arlo’s singular artistry.

## Background

* On June 13, 2023, she announced her upcoming book.
* On August 17, she announced of the promotional book tour around the United Kingdom and United States.

## Gallery

* Trailer

BTS
**@arloparks**: "stream of consciousness to poem. i felt like i was melting when i wrote this - wild mustard, petrol fumes, Carrie Mae Weems, making out in a Camry, mushrooms in the kitchen. More tenderness to come - pre-order The Magic Border: https://arloparksofficial.com/the-magic-border/"
* 11 August 2023
* Twitter
**@arloparks**: "stream of consciousness to poem. i felt like i was melting when i wrote this - wild mustard, petrol fumes, Carrie Mae Weems, making out in a Camry, mushrooms in the kitchen. More tenderness to come - pre-order The Magic Border: https://arloparksofficial.com/the-magic-border/"
* 11 August 2023
* Twitter
**@arloparks**: "stream of consciousness to poem. i felt like i was melting when i wrote this - wild mustard, petrol fumes, Carrie Mae Weems, making out in a Camry, mushrooms in the kitchen. More tenderness to come - pre-order The Magic Border: https://arloparksofficial.com/the-magic-border/"
* 11 August 2023
* Twitter

Events

## References

1. ↑ LaPierre, Megan (13 June 2023). "Arlo Parks Announces Debut Poetry Collection 'The Magic Border'". *Exclaim!*
2. ↑ Renshaw, David (13 June 2023). "Arlo Parks Announces Debut Poetry Collection". *The Fader*.
3. ↑ Minsker, Evan (13 June 2023). "Arlo Parks Announces Debut Book *The Magic Border*". *Pitchfork*.
4. ↑ "Arlo Parks (@arloparks)". *Twitter*. 17 August 2023.

Template:Arlo Parks