When he won his Giller Award Saint Lucia poetplaywright Derek Walcott couldnt make it so Michael Ondaatje stood in his place and read Love After Love the most beautiful poem I had ever heard It remains a haunting and a promise I learned it by heart as the saying goes and finally made this movie which is only a way of keeping it with me as memento and keepsake Using subtle repeats and rest stops for reflection the poems fifteen lines are a narration of selfcare an invitation to do the deep dig of meeting that most unwanted of all visitors The film is framed by a writerstandin who is in search waiting in the pause between faces Her writing brings her to a temporary oasis where she can reboot and refresh invite her many personalities to arrive and allow old encounters with friends and familiars to flow through her to become again a living memory
