Open Things

by Jessica Kantrowitz

A new collection by poet Jessica Kantrowitz. Both grounded and ethereal, these poems fearlessly explore themes of despair and hope, confinement and release, struggle and emergence, expressing the tremendous joy and freedom of openness as vividly as the pain and longing of wanting what is closed. Kantrowitz is that rare breed of poet who is accessible without sacrificing depth and craft.

Genres: Poetry

109 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Jessica Kantrowitz is a writer and theologian living in Boston, Massachusetts. She writes about theology, culture, social justice, and chronic illness, including her own struggles with depression and migraines. Her writing has been featured in places like Sojourners, Think Christian, The Good Men Project, and Our Bible App. She earned her MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Her first book, The Long Night: Readings and Stories to Help You through Depression releases through Fortress Press in May, 2020.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant reflections on reflection; a book I’ll keep in my bag for reading on the train or a park bench.

[Diane Frisone · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful poetry

Deep beautiful poetry! Jessica’s writing will make you pause and to ponder her profound words! She shares grief but it feels lighter after her poetry!
She is a great poet for our times 🌺

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica’s poetry weaves together beauty and doubt, joy and grief in such a breathtaking way. Somehow both floating and standing firm. Her writing makes me stop and look at ordinary things in a completely different way.
In particular “resilience”, “open things” and “note to self” were favorites.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Kantrowitz combines both ethereal beauty and the ordinariness of daily life in ways that make us take a second look, and look deeper. One of my favorites in this collection is "you can't argue with a poem," a brief but profound reminder of how we are moved and persuaded. This is not only a clear-eyed reckoning with grief and loss, but also a celebration of becoming and of embracing life

[Melissa Fuller Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the beauty highlighted in moments both vast (“sodden with grief”) and immediate (“my awkward bewildered body”) throughout this book.