Ours

The poem collection 'Ours' by Cole Swensen explores the concept of public versus private property through the lens of seventeenth-century French baroque gardens, notably those designed by André Le Nôtre for Louis XIV at Versailles. By analyzing the metaphorical use of gardens, Swensen delves into themes such as human society and poetic structure, questioning ownership with a subtle irony rooted in the French phrase 'le nôtre,' which translates to both 'ours' and 'Le Nôtre's.' The work examines how these gardens, originally designed for aristocracy, have transitioned into public parks, probing the intersections and blurrings of their dual meanings. This poetic inquiry offers a unique perspective on the historical and social dimensions of garden design.

Swensen, C. (2019). Ours (, Ed.). University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520941564