Presents poems which reexamine biblical themes, assess the Jewish role in the modern world, and were written by over three hundred contemporary Jewish poets from around the world
Howard Schwartz is Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a prolific writer who has published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. In searching for themes and images for his work in various genres, he has often found his inspiration in biblical, midrashic, and kabbalistic lore. Many of his works retell ancient folktales, reflecting his belief in the importance of passing cultural lore from one generation to the next. His poetry frequently reflects the dreamlike and mysterious elements of Jewish mythology.
This has been my favorite anthology of Jewish poetry since I first discovered it twenty years ago. It includes poems translated from a wide variety of languages. This book introduced me to the work of many poets who continue to influence my own writing.