As anticipation builds for the September 1 release of Traveler’s Faith, artist Marie Davidson has offered a glimpse into her literary work by sharing two distinct poems from the collection. Known for her sharp, rhythmic sensibilities in electronic music, Davidson translates that same precision into the written word, capturing fleeting moments of modern life with a candid, observational eye.
The first piece, titled “SAUL & THE COFFEE MACHINE,” documents a mundane yet charged encounter during a travel sequence. Through sparse, deliberate line breaks, Davidson recounts a group gathering around a coffee machine, navigating the social and political tensions that arise in the quiet spaces of transit. The poem moves from the simple act of seeking caffeine to a pointed exchange about corporate boycotts and personal ethics, ending with the group boarding the Eurostar, coffee in hand.
The second excerpt, “YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT,” shifts the focus toward the complexities of digital communication and the vulnerability of artistic expression. Here, Davidson explores the disconnect between the superficiality of social media interactions—specifically the act of viewing a photo—and the deeper, more earnest desire to be understood through one’s creative output. It is a poignant reflection on the hope that a connection might eventually lead someone to engage with the substance of her poetry.
These excerpts serve as a compelling preview of Traveler’s Faith, highlighting Davidson’s ability to find profound resonance in the everyday. By grounding her writing in the specificities of travel and digital intimacy, she invites readers to look closer at the narratives we construct in our own lives.
