February 2020

Apus – a chapbook of Carolyn Waudby’s poems inspired by the life of Frida Kahlo – has been published by The Red Ceilings Press.

The collection title, Apus, meaning ‘without foot’, is one of the 20 poems in the book. Also a constellation in the southern sky, it references the fact Kahlo had her right leg amputated.

The constellation represents the bird of paradise, often thought to be the same as the Mexican national bird, the quetzal.  Early traders would cut off the feet of these precious birds to sell them.

Frida Kahlo wore elaborate clothing, including boots embroidered with the quetzal – even on her artificial leg, which Waudby draws on in the poem.

The haunting  book cover image was taken by Rose-Anna Waudby Ahmet during her travels in #Mexico, Columbia and Cuba and features the Island of Dolls in #Xochimilco, Mexico City.