Helene Pilibosian's book of poems A New Orchid Myth,a fantasy-reality tale that breaks with her usual ethnic subject matter. This series of poems explores the possibility of a different kind of civilization on another planet from which Mr. and Mrs. Everydream descend to earth. they have much to do to get used to ways of life in New York City, where they have settled. However, extensive travel within the states gives them and the reader a broader perspective.
Sunflowers and orchids play an important part in this narrative. The sunflower seeds provide great nourishment here and in their home planet. Orchids also exist there but are wilted and becoming sterile as are the people. What is needed there is optimism, and the red on orchids seems to symbolize it.
The worry is that people from the home plan that will kidnap their daughter Taralee to try to revitalize their own system. Eventually the Everydreams and develop a plan to send optimism to the planet, plus saving it and themselves. Then forgiveness rules.
Poems describing the best attributes of many of the states, which they presumably visit,narrative here and there and actually inspire love of country. For comic relief, the characters Plastic and Polyester appear occasionally and either comment or run around New York City. Manhattan and California win for description of American places. And there are a few Armenian characters in the background - Mr. and Mrs. Garmirian and Maral Laramian.
The happy ending of optimism given and restored boosts the morale of the people in the book and the people who read the book. It may sound like Hollywood, but really it is not.
