|
Each poem in this anthology tells a story, expresses an emotion
or reality that rings true and honest. The poets, English speakers,
who live throughout Israel, all have something important to say.
While the anthology was published in 1998, it could have been
written in 2001. The events and concerns are current.
While many reflect upon the
period before autumn 2000, as one
of approaching a true and lasting
peace, some of the fears, private
anguish and harsh realities of
life in Israel rang as true then
as they do today. The poets
manage to express concerns that are
on the minds of so many Israelis.
The poets live throughout the
country in such places as Jerusalem,
Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, Haifa, Kiryat Ata, Ramat
Aviv and Be'er Sheva.
The poem,
Hagoshrim
by Gustawa Stendig-Lindberg,
speaks of the serene sensation one
feels when
hiking in the
north.
In
contrast, Niva Kramek's
poem, My Masochism
talks about the constant battle
to "stick-it-out" and "be strong".
Finally Elaine Kallet deals with a
fear and reality at the forefront
of so many Israeli minds:
the daily luck or fate, whose number
will be up in the daily terror attacks.
The anthology tells the story of how Israelis, both native
and those who made aliyah
to Israel, cope with the realities of
a country whose people are always
passionate and where tempers
run high. The contrast between
the tremendous beauty of daily
life to the horrors
of war are themes that run throughout the
collection of poems.
Day-to-day questions
about the love of those known and unknown
to us echo the questions
the poets bring to life and help to
voice the inner conflicts so many people experience.
The anthology is poetry. It
is recommended reading for those
seeking insight into what many
Israelis are thinking and feeling today.
| 
NON-FICTION
Click here to buy 
