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Just discovered a new review for Home: a big thank you to the reviewer, whose pen name SMFD stands for Suzzette Dawes, the Jamaican-raised author of The Collection, Adventures in the Courtyard, and Tortured Souls. This is what she wrote:★★★★★ a lot of emotion is shared and conveyed, June 17, 2013
By SFMD - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Home (Kindle Edition)
A book with beautifully written poems and prose. It opens with a daughter writing about her father and some special memories attached to the armchair. I like the rhyme pattern and the flow of the poetry
It reveals, it unveils a clue (from Muse)
Essay - A Sentence Unfinished - is a heavy read. Uvi describes a scene where her father sitting in his armchair remembering his escapes from the Nazi to Spain to Israel. The other chapters follow with her father as a child (I guess she has heard the stories over the years). His family running from invasion during World War 1 abandoning their home town (German invasion).
With father's day just passing, there some honor in her translating her father's poems. Then there is her father's poem "Bent over Memories" reminiscing on his daughter when she was younger while looking at children playing in the park:
No longer will I carry you in my arms, little girl" and
"Now I am alone.
Supported by memories...
Sitting in the park for hours
Watching someone else's children."
Verse conveys strong feelings - daughter far away but the children playing reminds him of time spent when his daughter was younger.
Overall a good read that out pours the emotion and provides some insight on life:
"I Plucked a Wildflower" - Funny but morbid to write about own funeral, the mourners you don't know and the debt you left behind. Humor that no interest on the other side. Take that banks!
If i had to choose a favorite, it would be "We Pass" due to the contrast of fall and spring, how we are now and how we used to be (symbolized by the couple who passed embracing). Fall (when leaves separate from the trees) and fail relationship - the comparison noted.
Sorry for the spoilers but I enjoyed reading Home.
In a dark night with not a friendIn a dark night with not a friend
I walked all alone in the world
A splitting burst of thunder I heard
And sea breakers that hammered and curled.
A thunder rolled over the skies
Wind gusts battered me with a cry
Terror blinded my eyes
I couldn’t tell an enemy from an ally.
In a night with not a friend, all bleary
I could see no shelter around
I walked on, broken and weary
Searching for hope to be found
♫ °˚˚ ✿*‿*) ♡♥ ◦°˚˚
Inspired by the music of words?
Get Home
My week on Mcv Egan's history-related blog comes to a height with a new piece, this time written not by me--but by my father. This is my all-time favorite of his work, which opens with a conversation with his counselor:You're asking me to put here in writing, once more,
All that I lost, my esteemed counselor?
And just when you might expect that he is making a list of physical properties that were confiscated by the Nazi regime, the poem takes a turn: when he describes his father's gold watch, it is the entire life of his family that is reflected in the glass lids. This is what he demands to get back--not the value of the physical thing.
Check out the post here: Reparations
Here is a short and sweet Goodreads review of Home by Brian Biglow:This is an exception collection of poetry and prose. Thought it was quite wonderful as I was entranced in the verse. Would recommend it to any poetry lover.
While surfing my facebook groups, I found this new ★★★★★ review of Home, written today by Christoph Fischer, and posted on Amazon and Goodreads. Christoph is a high-ranking reviewer on Goodreads: #46 best reviewers #9 top reviewers. And, he is the author of two historical fiction books, Sebastianand The Luck of the Weissensteiners. ★★★★★ Moving, July 9, 2013
By diebus - See all my reviews
"Home" by Uvi Poznansky and Zeev Kachel is an amazing and moving collection of poems and short stories.
The first half seems written by a girl or a young woman and the images she has of her late father, his place in her life, his habits and his death. The poems are about the family history and the impressions her father has left on her as well as her current life and relationships. Nowhere is it said that the poems are a reflection on Poznansky and her life but the pieces were so moving and real that it certainly felt as if they were.
Underneath this collection however is the more central theme of home,as the title gives away. Home in the geographical, temporal and emotional sense and maybe some more that I missed.
These poems and stories are most personal and moving in their character.
Halfway through we switch to Zeev Kachel, Poznansky's father and his poems which she found after his death and which she translated from Hebrew for us.
They are different in character but have similar themes. It seems as Kachel moves on in age and time his poems become more questioning, philosophical and trying to make sense of the world. As refugee he also focuses a lot of his attention on the issue of home.
The book is deeply moving, well written and contains some amazing thoughts and images and oozes with sentimentality and love.
Very touching.
The Opening of HomeSucked in by a force, I'm flying through a tunnel
The tunnel of memory that leads me back home
The past blurs my present, so my vision is double
The walls and the ceiling curve into a dome
From here I can see my home, tilting
And falling from place, all the lamps are aflame
My father's empty chair is slowly ascending
Tipped by the light, outlining its frame
This is the opening poem from my book, Home, and the preparatory sketch for its cover, both originating from the same place, the same vision in my mind. I find it so magical that through a creative collaboration with a wonderful actress, Kathy Bell Denton, the words--and the vision--come alive through her voice.
Take a listen:
Home, narrated by Kathy Bell Denton
Longing for a place never to be found again?
Get the paperback edition
Home
Audiobook coming soon!
On his blog, Servante of Darkness, Anthony Servante has just posted a fascinating article. It quotes the works of several poets--my work included--and then, it offers a review and analysis of each work. Anthony starts with this premise:
Let’s discuss the premise before looking at the words. It is an axiom in academic writing that poetry must speak for itself. A writer cannot interpret meaning for the reader, giving insight to his own words as if they required his presence to clarify the work’s intents. The poem must stand up to the scrutiny of the reader alone...
From my work, Anthony selected the poem Late lover, with my oil painting to accompany the poem. Check it out here:
Poetry Today: Trends and Traditions
MuseThe lamp swings like a pendulum
Pictures sway on their nails
Then slip down the walls, leaving scratched trails
Amidst the quake, the grief, the confusion and scare
Slowly ascending is my father's armchair
And beyond all these outlines of what I see there
Beyond the sofa, the knickknacks, the old furniture
Light pours in, and it paints something new
It reveals, it unveils at this moment a clue
The clue to a presence only he could once see
A presence he longed for, because only she
Could call him back home, and envelop him so
Touching-not-touching, her hands all aglow
These pages, upon which he'll never scribble a line
Are floating out of shadows, into the shine
Only she can now read the blanks, she and no other
He's ascending into the arms of his muse, his mother.
Listen to my narrator, the tallented Kathy Bell Denton, read these lines, Here.
Love the music of words?
Treat yourself to a gift
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Audiobook coming soon
What a wonderful, eloquent review from Deborah for my poetry book, Home! ★★★★★ Home, August 1, 2013
By Deborah - See all my reviews
The book has poems and prose from a father and daughter with two very different and distinct ways of writing but underlying the difference you see a common thread woven through them all. A thread that is the one thing we all think of differently, home.
For her father it brought a sadness and a deep sense of longing. You can feel his suffering, the pain, the changes that age can bring and nothing is glossed over. This is raw emotions that you feel in your very soul and at times its disturbing. You feel like a voyeur looking through the pages of anothers life and seeing it all unfold in your mind. There is also a sense of wanting it to be over as though life has been lived and the time is now past and the author wants to move on. Not knowing exactly what lies ahead and yet at most times welcoming it with open arms while at others he seems to want to pull back perhaps to make changes. But those moments have passed and they are now a part of his very being which in the end he seems to accept.
Uvi must have been amazed to find poems from her father that had been hidden for years. I cannot imagine what it must have been like going through those notes and pages while still grieving the loss of her father. With her emotions so very tender and raw his words at times must have cut to the very center of her being and also to have given her some joy in knowing that their time together was not over.
Through the newly found works Uvi is with her father as she works on the translation process so they are in a sense sharing those last two decades of his life in a very different way and on a deeper level.
Whereas Zeev writes his poems almost as a diary, a journal of his life, his daughter tends to write and see things differently and paints a picture that you form in your mind of the thoughts, feelings, the way things were in a very descriptive but somehow more detached manner. Focusing on the physical changes around her rather than the changes within. But even with the difference in style all of the emotions are still there to touch and feel. Very real, very alive and powerful.
A wonderful tribute by one amazing poet to another that takes us down two different paths. Through the same struggles, demons, and soul searching which somehow comes together. The paths converging to lead us to that elusive destination, place or state of mind that is home.
I feel that people you meet as well as
books you read change you. You are never the same as part of them will always be with you and I am honoured to carry both these poets and their works in my heart and yes my very soul.
As part of my launch event for the upcoming audiobook edition of TWISTED, I am announcing a ★ Writing Contest ★ Check it out! Then, invite your friends to join. The more the merrier!
A lovely new ★★★★★ review for Home:Home, August 6, 2013
By jeannette joyal - See all my reviews
This review is from: Home (Kindle Edition)
I was gift this book by the Author for a honest review. A priceless collection of Poems and memories! How can I put into to words the emotional heartache this Man felt throughout life's journey in a world full of disappointment and harsh reality? I cannot however, His Daughter Uvi, the Author of this book can. She has with great care translated from Hebrew, her Fathers deepest thoughts, that was written in the form of poems over the years and discover after his passing. I can't imagine how Emotional this must have been to discover these! As I read through both her and her Fathers accounts I wondered to myself how many of us could have endure what this Man faced and survived? I for one am not sure if I would have had the strength that this Man possessed. His emotional outpour through out the book reminded me of David the psalmist, when he cried out during his most darkest hours, begging God for strength, only to be faces with silence not knowing if he would be heard. I feel blessed and privileged that Uvi shared this incredible part of her legacy.
I am so elated! Two great things happened today: first, I got this message:"Congratulations, Twisted is now on sale at audible.com. And we plan to make it available on iTunes and Amazon within the next few days"
Here the audiobook edition of Twisted, take a listen:
And second, I have just approved the production of Home, so my poetry book will soon be available on Audible and Amazon, too!
I was so delighted when Ia Uaro, the author (as well as the cover artist) of the coming of age story Sydney's Song, bought a print edition of Home and gave it as a gift to the teacher of her children. Today I am doubly delighted that she posted this great review, on Amazon and Goodreads:★★★★★ Poignant and Moving, 14 Aug 2013
By Ia Uaro (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Home (Paperback)
Zeev Kachel, son of a Russian Jewish family, was born in 1912, on the eve of the First World War. When German declared war on August 1, 1914 and its army marched into Russia, his parents bundled him and his sister into the wagon, leaving behind their store and worldly belongings, to escape for the lives.
"Ma, why did you fool me," Zeev was still bleeding as 70 years later his pen dripped "We Were Born in Darkness",
"what was it for,
When you sang me a lullaby, not a song of war?
Oh why did you hide the fateful truth from me
We were born in darkness, our life--not to be?"
Welcome to the poetry world of Zeev, beautifully rendered into English by his daughter Uvi Poznansky. He was a man of passion with the ability to capture it in his work, as Uvi aptly calls it. You can't but be emotionally affected by Zeev's powerful laments of loss. Of a child after his mother has departed,
"I had travelled to a place so alien, so cold
How bitter it had felt, to you I never told.
How you waited to receive a word from me, a letter..."
I feel a very special connection to Zeev. To me his moving words provoke long-forgotten memories, tucked away because they were too painful to remember, or to share. I could just imagine his agony as he wrote,
"You're asking me to record, on paper to pour
All that I lost, my esteemed counselor?"
And bravely he wrote, and wrote and wrote and wrote. Of very beautiful things that are only beautiful while they last, "Lie to me boldly, don't misgive"
Poetry is cruel honesty--and here is Zeev baring his soul, driving us to share his pain of the well-captured memories,
"For that lost moment, how I pine!"
of his confusion,
"Is this really the path I envisioned?
Then why is the night here so black?"
And yet even as he anguished over his loneliness, "In a night with not a friend, all's bleary," his daughter had understood him. His lucky daughter, in whom he has carved: "I am a poem, I inspire"
Five stars.
King Judah has hosted poetess Bathsheba Dailey and me, live on air! Join me for a visit in the The Kings Court. It is a 2-hours conversation, so bring a glass of wine or a cup of coffee! The conversation is well worth your time, I promise, as both Bathsheba and I read excerpts from our poetry!
Bathsheba and I in the King's Court
Uvi wrote: "I am truly honored to announce that a prolific performer, Katy Bell Denton, will be reading the poems and prose for the audiobook edition of my poetry book, Home. Since this book is in tribute of m..."Uvi, is the audiobook out yet? Katy Bell Denton sounds extraordinary.
Katie wrote: "Uvi wrote: "I am truly honored to announce that a prolific performer, Katy Bell Denton, will be reading the poems and prose for the audiobook edition of my poetry book, Home. Since this book is in ..."Yes, she does, Katie! And so is Heather Jane Hogan, whose voice is in a couple of clips in the radio interview above.
Home is now in Audible's QA process, so it will be out within 2 weeks, I suppose... I will certainly announce it here, but just in case you beat me to it, here is my Audible author page.
The Writing Contest POLL is up! Cast your vote for your favorite entry! And please share this, please tweet! Let everyone read these beautiful entries, written by poets and writers from around the world!
Cast your vote!
Come Home with me! My ★★★★★ poetry book ♥ Home ♥ is coming out in an amazing audiobook edition! Join the Writing Contest, listen to my narrator's voice, be here for the cover reveal... And whatever you do, don't miss out!Come HOME and JOIN!
In my oil painting, which I used for the cover of the print edition of Home, I depicted a vision of the interior of where I grew up. The early sketches for the composition were done on a small note of paper on the first day of the Shiv-aa, the mourning period following my father's passing. By the time I came back home the note was lost, so I re-sketched it from memory. I prepared the canvas with a layer of textured bronze color, then worked the scene into it. It was extremely difficult to photograph this piece, because the layer of gold--which is exposed in places--reflected light in unpredictable ways. So I snapped a photograph of the painting in one room, then another, with diffused daylight coming from the side, the front, the top, with and without flash, then took it outside and snapped it in sunlight, in the shadow, here, there and everywhere... Yes, you get the picture.
At last I found one version that looked fine to me. First I had to fit the image to a prescribed size (according the book size I have in mind.) Then I created the shadows of the lettering. You may notice that the shadow's color is not black, but rather it is the darkest purple of the painting (which can be seen in the lower left corner.) Also, I blurred these shadows, so they do not have hard edges, but fuzzy ones. Then I selected a soft yellow, with which I typed the title, Home; and a less bright version of this yellow, with which I typed my name and my father's. Being brighter, the title 'comes forward' in relationship to the author names.
Normally I would make sure that all text fields are of the same width, or that they are arranged in a way that the one on top has the shortest width, and the one at the bottom has the longest width, which creates a sense of stability. Not so here, because I view my childhood home through the shaky lens of memory...
For the audiobook cover I brightened the font color, so it stands out more over the painting. Also, because of the square dimensions I had to 'extend' the image of the painting to the right and to the left. And in addition to the authors' names, I added the name of the voice actress for the audiobook, Kathy Bell Denton.
Audiobook coming soon
Treat yourself to a gift--ebook FREE today!
Get Home
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Wow! So happy! Just got this messsage, about the fourth one of my books to go audio:Congratulations, Home is now on sale at audible.com. And we plan to make it available on iTunes and Amazon.com within the next few days.
Check out the list of audiobooks, and don't forget to play the voice clip for each one! Take a listen, here:
My author page on Audible
As part of the launch event Home, I am announcing a Writing Contest for all who take part in the celebration. Check out the details here:Writing Contest
I plucked a wildflowerWritten by my father, translated by me
I plucked a wildflower from my resting place
And it was blue, as if it wore my name, my face
But I was startled suddenly by a snake
Who slinked across the path with one tail shake...
Listen to the poem (read for the audiobook edition by Kathy Bell Denton) HERE:
Are you a member of Audible? Love biblical fiction? Boy are you in luck! As part of the launch event Home, I am announcing a RAFFLE to win a FREE audiobook download of my audiobook, A Favorite Son!Here's how:
Win a FREE audiobook in this RAFFLE
If you are reading Home I will feature your image at the top of my blog, in the new slideshow feature at the top right.Here's how:
Got Home? Your image here
I'm blessed for the pleasure, blessed for the agonyBlessed for the fear, the pain of it all
In which I was steeped, in this reality
And granted the chance to endure or to fall...
Take a listen to the poem in its entirety (from the audiobook edition of HOME):
I'm Blessed for the Pleasure, Blessed for the Agony
Renee Pierce Williams is the author of the five-star rated, GCBA-nominated book, Buck the Good Doog. Born and raised in Georgia, she began her seventeen-year career at Aflac, where she held positions in both the Marketing and Legal Documentation divisions of the company. I simply love her ★★★★★ review of my poetry book, Home.★★★★★ "HOME" is where the heart is..., September 3, 2013
By Renee Pierce Williams - See all my reviews
This review is from: Home (Kindle Edition)
This is the second book I have read by the multi-talented, poet, artist and author, Uvi Poznansky. After the passing of her father; author, poet and artist, Zeev Kachel, Poznansky stumbles upon years of his unpublished poems, plays and stories. She spends a year translating his works from his native Hebrew to English.
This is a father-daughter collaboration by two very gifted artists. Both share the very unique and rare gift of capturing their reader by painting their characters with a pen. If you have lived, you or someone close to you, has experienced some of the darkness this life has to offer. Poznansky does an outstanding job of translating her father's pain and loneliness into relatable works of art.
This book is both a lovely tribute and another fine display of talent.
I invite you to read the lovely entries by writers and poets from around the world. The theme is "Longing for a place we can no longer reach", in celebration of Home.Then cast your vote for your favorite entry in the writing contest!
I’ll be yours, you’ll be mineBring a flower, uncork the wine
Come home tomorrow, don’t be late
We’ll have our moment, we’ll have a date!
Our Home event is fast coming to its high point (Fri 09/06 @ 2:00pm PST.)
Don't miss the Grand Finale!
☻ We’ll celebrate with bread, wine, cheese, desserts... Virtually delicious!
☻ I’ll be nnouncing the 3 front-runners of the WRITING CONTEST, plus--
☻ Surprise!--a wildcard winner, picked by me out of a hat, plus--
☻ I’ll be announcing the winner of the RAFFLE
★★★★★
" Written in an elegant style, this publication contains
both poems and story-like sections of prose.
It's lyrical, expressive, and poignant"
Treat yourself to a gift
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
If you have missed my Launch event for the audiobook edition of Home, here is a glimpse of what happened:
★★★★★
" Written in an elegant style, this publication contains
both poems and story-like sections of prose.
It's lyrical, expressive, and poignant"
Treat yourself to a gift
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
ReparationsPoem by my father (translated by me)
You're asking me to put here in writing, once more,
All that I lost, my esteemed counselor?
To list in detail, then describe and refine
And bring two witnesses tomorrow to sign?
My father's gold watch--I could just hear the sound
Had three lids that were shining
Reflected in it I could see us, standing around
All faces aglow and rejoicing.
The watch also had a heavy gold chain
Coiled twice over, over his vein
The tips of its hands gave a hint of a spark
Shooting green glow, right into the dark
It ticked, counting years for each girl and boy
Marking seasons, holidays, morning and night
I remember Sabbath candles flickering with joy
Sparkling brightly, like starlight.
You're asking me to record, on paper to pour
All that I lost, my esteemed counselor?
There was an old synagogue my grandpa had built
Burning scrolls, flying ash, dying spirit
Ancient Torah aflame, letters lifting, all gilt
Thou shall not kill, shall not steal, shall not covet
There was my sister. She was delicate, tender
In her eyes I remember a twinkle
Her name was Batia, my beloved little sister
She grew up--and then--it was simple:
She grew up and married, gave birth to a son
with a blue glint in his eyes, and a dimple
And blond hair, like a pure 'Aryan'--
The murderers, they threw him right into the Nile
There were aunts, there were uncles, boys and girls in our midst
The murderers decreed: they should not exist
You're asking me to record, on paper to pour
All that I lost, my esteemed counselor?
I demand to return, reopen that door
Find parents and sister, each girl and boy
Back there in that synagogue, with that spirit of yore
Sabbath candles aflame, father's voice filled with joy.
It's not property I ask for, not mere pieces of land--
Hebrew school, friends around, all of us in one band
With hope that inspired to survive, to withstand.
Bring the murderers to trial, that is what I demand.
You will not understand; it's of no great import--
I demand that which had been cut short
HOME is now available on Amazon--and at a reduced price!
Take a listen:
✿ Audio ✿ print ✿ ebook ✿
Wow, what a lovely, spot on review for my poetry book, Home:★★★★★ A Ballad with a Flair, September 10, 2013
By Warrior Princess (Karmoy, Norway) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase
I was penetrated by a pouring rain
And for a moment, somehow, I felt alive again
Sensing me, the worms began to rave
I plucked a wildflower from my grave.
These four lines written by Zeev Kachel and translated by his daughter Uvi Poznansky resonated with me like no other poetry in English ever had. They seemed to have reached something deep in my soul. I was surprised and enchanted and kept reading, enjoying every line of this emotional collection and wondering what it was that kept drawing me in. Eventually, after reading through Uvi's blog, I figured out what that mysterious soul connection was: when Uvi was little, her father used to read to her the poetry of Pushkin, a beloved Russian poet and one of my favorite writers of all time, in Russian. She didn't understand the words until he translated them for her, but the rhythm, the sound, and the soul of his poetry must have reached Uvi through the linguistic barrier. Quite amazing. But let me share a few of my favorite lines from "Home."
Things are no longer
Where things ought to be
Who is this stranger
Is it still me?
These lines, written by Uvi, appeal to me because of the profound meaning behind their apparent simplicity. As life moves forward and we get busy with everyday activities, we tend not to notice the passage of time, only to stop one day and suddenly realize how much life has changed around us and how much we ourselves have changed.
Another emotion that I was drawn to is that of life-affirming defiance no matter what life's circumstances are. Just take a look at this stanza (also by Uvi):
Sing out a ballad of passion and hate
Sing it out as you drown, and ignore that date
Someone may notice, may listen out there
So quicken the pounding, sing out with a flair
My interpretation of this idea of "singing a ballad" is that music and song are some of the purest, most ancient, and most raw ways to express emotions "with a flair."
As I read further and got to the section of the book that contains poetry written by Uvi's father, Zeev Kachel (and translated by Uvi), I could see the similarities in their spirit. In the two lines below, the idea that life is not nearly as sweet and innocent as we often expect, is expressed eloquently and concisely:
Ma, why did you fool me, what was it for,
When you sang me a lullaby, not a song of war?
And more life-affirming defiance in these next lines:
In the distance, you seem to spot a shelter
But all I see is an endless universe
Come on, Troika! Snow sparkles on your lashes
Let's charge to the horizon, let us charge our course!
What I see here is the spirit of independence, the idea of finding your own way, of moving forward fearlessly with no thought of resting, stopping, hiding, or seeking refuge from adversity - strong emotions eloquently expressed. The feelings behind these poems reminded me of the poetry of Anna Akhmatova, a famous Russian modernist poet who lived through and wrote about Stalinist terror.
This poetry collection by Uvi and her father shines with the same spirit of defiance in the face of a great loss, combines lyrical poetry with a strong voice, and presents rhymes that reverberate with the rhythm of our hearts and our lives. Highly recommended.
Wow, what a lovely, spot on review for my poetry book, Home:★★★★★ A Ballad with a Flair, September 10, 2013
By Warrior Princess (Karmoy, Norway) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase
I was penetrated by a pouring rain
And for a moment, somehow, I felt alive again
Sensing me, the worms began to rave
I plucked a wildflower from my grave.
These four lines written by Zeev Kachel and translated by his daughter Uvi Poznansky resonated with me like no other poetry in English ever had. They seemed to have reached something deep in my soul. I was surprised and enchanted and kept reading, enjoying every line of this emotional collection and wondering what it was that kept drawing me in. Eventually, after reading through Uvi's blog, I figured out what that mysterious soul connection was: when Uvi was little, her father used to read to her the poetry of Pushkin, a beloved Russian poet and one of my favorite writers of all time, in Russian. She didn't understand the words until he translated them for her, but the rhythm, the sound, and the soul of his poetry must have reached Uvi through the linguistic barrier. Quite amazing. But let me share a few of my favorite lines from "Home."
Things are no longer
Where things ought to be
Who is this stranger
Is it still me?
These lines, written by Uvi, appeal to me because of the profound meaning behind their apparent simplicity. As life moves forward and we get busy with everyday activities, we tend not to notice the passage of time, only to stop one day and suddenly realize how much life has changed around us and how much we ourselves have changed.
Another emotion that I was drawn to is that of life-affirming defiance no matter what life's circumstances are. Just take a look at this stanza (also by Uvi):
Sing out a ballad of passion and hate
Sing it out as you drown, and ignore that date
Someone may notice, may listen out there
So quicken the pounding, sing out with a flair
My interpretation of this idea of "singing a ballad" is that music and song are some of the purest, most ancient, and most raw ways to express emotions "with a flair."
As I read further and got to the section of the book that contains poetry written by Uvi's father, Zeev Kachel (and translated by Uvi), I could see the similarities in their spirit. In the two lines below, the idea that life is not nearly as sweet and innocent as we often expect, is expressed eloquently and concisely:
Ma, why did you fool me, what was it for,
When you sang me a lullaby, not a song of war?
And more life-affirming defiance in these next lines:
In the distance, you seem to spot a shelter
But all I see is an endless universe
Come on, Troika! Snow sparkles on your lashes
Let's charge to the horizon, let us charge our course!
What I see here is the spirit of independence, the idea of finding your own way, of moving forward fearlessly with no thought of resting, stopping, hiding, or seeking refuge from adversity - strong emotions eloquently expressed. The feelings behind these poems reminded me of the poetry of Anna Akhmatova, a famous Russian modernist poet who lived through and wrote about Stalinist terror.
This poetry collection by Uvi and her father shines with the same spirit of defiance in the face of a great loss, combines lyrical poetry with a strong voice, and presents rhymes that reverberate with the rhythm of our hearts and our lives. Highly recommended.
In honor of International Day of Peace--September 21--here is a story of a child whose family family escapes from war:"There he sits, pressed in between bundles and things that keep rattling around him, on top of a horse-driven wagon. Looking up at his parents he can sense something big, something fearful and unspoken casting a shadow over them; and they bend their heads together over him and his sister. He can see an endless line in front, an endless line in back—horses and wagons, wagons and horses as far as the eye can see—all advancing towards the same gray, unclear horizon, all escaping towards the same destination: Unknown.
The sun rises in front of the wagons, and sets behind them. Towns appear and disappear. Rivers pass by, then forests, brick houses, motels. In Minsk they stop. He finds the three-story hotel quite fascinating at first, especially the curved rail of the staircase, which is meant, no doubt, for sliding down and yelling at the top of your voice. Of course, landing down on your butt, he finds out, is an entirely different matter—and so is the harsh, unforgiving look cast down at him by the hotelkeeper.
They settle down for the night. In the rented room, his mommy blesses the Sabbath candles. Her hands are tightly clasped, her eyes closed. And early the next morning they mount the wagon again, and the journey goes on in the dim light, guided by nothing but an instinct to survive, farther and farther away from home. Squinting at the rising sun, Zeev finds it more and more difficult to keep his eyes open. His mind is going numb listening to the wheels as they spin and turn, spin and turn, beating incessantly against the mud.
Cold rain starts coming down at him, sheet after sheet, and streaming in the same direction is the wet mane of the horse. Its head keeps bobbing up and down, up and down in front. When will it end? Where can they go?
Many days pass by—he cannot count them any more—until, one evening, as they travel along the river, a big town comes into view, closer and closer against the smoky blue backdrop of the Ural Mountains.
This, his daddy tells him, is Saratov."
My father was born 1912, and the story above is how I imagine the story of the family, escaping their home on the eve of World War I, which started on August 1, 1914 with the German declaration of war on Russia. Always an army town, the fortress of Brisk was now flooded with Russian military personnel, and many private houses were requisitioned to accommodate them. Late in July 1915, with the installation of new hospitals in town, it became clear that the front was fast approaching Brisk De-Lita.
Rumors of evacuation were heard and the Russian army was to fortify the east bank of the Bug River; but when the German army captured Warsaw on August 4, the Fort Commandant gave the civilian population in Brisk three days to evacuate. Imagine the panic amongst the Jews, who owned most of the businesses, when they had to abandon their belongings and flee for their lives.
When the German army marched into Brisk on August 25, it was a town without people, but with a great abundance of merchandise in the stores. And on the eve of Yom Kippur, the 18th of September, they entered Slonim, a neighboring city, and pressed on into Russia. By that time, the family was already far away from the frontline.
A long, dragged out journey had begun.
My ink-on-paper below is my way of illustrating the ugliness of war. Two figures holding whips are standing over a defiant, seated figure, threatening to cause him harm. In reality, all three figures were sketched looking at the same model.
The story is included in Home:
✿ Audio ✿ print ✿ ebook ✿
New poetry series: Contemporary Writers of PolandThe newest in an outgoing series dedicated to the courageous people of Poland who fought always to defend and preserve the Polish identity and cultural heritage throughout long periods of oppression - so beautifully represented here in Polish Literature Anthologies. I had the honor of being invited to contribute several of my poems:
Contemporary Writers of Poland 2000-2014
There must be some magic dust in the air every time I visit my dear friend, Brian M. Hayden, and leave a few words on his blog. Within a day, each one of my three guest posts garnered an incredible amount of 'readers' likes. Brian tells me The Cyclical Process of Writing was the highest visited post, with over 1,100 visits in a single day. Check them out: Home
215 likes
The Cyclical Process of Writing
199 likes
“The Descent into a Different Realm”
287 likes
Funny thing is, I wish I knew how this happens, because then I could repeat this feat with my next post... My best guess is this: here is a case of two authors combining forces, one opening the door for another, creating an inviting environment--and therefore, the friends and followers of both of them come in too, and they do it in great numbers!
Still, who knows... Your guess is as good as mine!
Basically a brilliant readWanda "Panda" Hartzenberg is a top rated reviewer, and the author of a new book, The Struggle of Me. She ranks #3 top readers, #10 best reviewers , #1 top reviewers on Goodreads. So I am deeply honored that she posted this review, on Amazon and Goodreads, for Home:
★★★★ Dont be misled with the pretty part. It is sad at times., October 16, 2013
By Wanda "Wandah Panda" (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Home (Kindle Edition)
I am not good with poetry. I know none of the buzz words. Nothing about rhyme or rhythm, nothing about anything other than the basic.
So this is what I am here to tell you. This is basically a brilliant read.
It is a journey of a man, a woman, a father, a daughter.
A family.
I cant tell you anything apart from the fact that the way in which this was written was pretty.
And yes, I mean pretty. It was a turn of phrase. A choice not usual that made the words sound pretty as I read them to myself.
The stories, the prose, the poetry. All of it has a story, a voice. All of it or some of it, or one if will hit HOME.
WaAr
I thought reading poetry wouldn't be my cup of tea. Wow, was I wrongJohn A. Miller is the author of Author of Gladstone, You’ll be Sorry! and Friends and Strangers. He is also a truck driver, which makes his point of view a unique one. I am thrilled that he posted this review, having listened to the audio edition of Home:
★★★★★ Deep thoughts, November 1, 2013
By John A. miller (tennessee,usa)
Being the average American male, I am into action adventure along with a good shoot out and car chase scene. I thought reading poetry wouldn't be my cup of tea. Wow, was I wrong. I was gifted the audio version of "Home" from a friend and I'm glad I established it. I down loaded on my computer then made a CD so I could listen to it as I drive. I own an 18 wheeler and like to listen to diverse things. I left Dallas this am and as I was driving across Texas I began to listen to "Home." At first I didn't know what to anticipate, was there going to be a car chase? No, Instead I had the pleasure of listening to the deep thoughts of Uvi Poznansky. The words she expressed got me thinking about my own life and made me feel I could get to know her as I listened. I will say there were two prose that are my favorites. "Child hood years" and "A child in a wagon." Don't ask me why because I have no idea, except I was moved by them. It could of ben the words and thought's she conveyed or it reminded me of something from my own childhood. Maybe reading "Home "would be a different experience than the audio version I had the pleasure of enjoying? If you're a reader and want to reflect back in you're on way of childhood or just read about her life and thoughts. Then I highly recommend "Home." Thank you Uvi for sharing your thoughts and emotions in this book so we all can enjoy.
Just discovered a new review by a reader called Alexandra on Goodreads, for Home! But first, let me give you her delightful comments as she recorded them as she began reading:14.0% "This will be I believe my first poetry book to read! I am very excited, very good so far!"
26.0% "So different from what I am used to reading but I am loving it! Rewind has to be my favorite so far! Very unique!!"
And now the review (can be read here):
I really really enjoyed this book! I think a few of the poems or stories went a lil over my head (I am not the deepest thinker lol) but I have to say I absolutely fell in love with the short story A Heartbeat, Reversed! I even read it twice! Such beautiful descriptions!
I love the fact that Uvi Poznansky took her father's poems and translated them from Hebrew to English to share with the world. What a beautiful tribute to her father! My favorite poem from Mr Kachel was The Wolf, it just really grabbed me and I read it over and over. I just wish I knew Hebrew because I think that would just sound beautiful!
I am very much looking forward to reading Uvi's other books and am so glad I have them right here on my kindle waiting for me!
Win!!!Here's your chance to win! A select group of authors has joined forces with me, to bring you amazing stories, narrated by great voice actors. Take a listen to voice clips from the audiobooks, and join for a chance to win one of them!
Join the Raffle Extravaganza
Wonder who won my audiobooks in the event last night? the winners are:Les Bush Poet: http://tinyurl.com/favorite-son-audio
Terri Pletcher: http://tinyurl.com/twisted-fantasy-audio
Pamela Sims: http://tinyurl.com/home-poetry-audio
Dennis W. Headrick: http://tinyurl.com/apart-from-love-audio
Giving thanks...I'm blessed for the pleasure, blessed for the agony
Blessed for the fear, the pain of it all
In which I was steeped, in this reality
And granted the chance to endure or to fall
Listen to this poem in its entirety, here.
Yay! A first review for Home (the audiobook edition):"Elegant and Elegiac"
If you could sum up Home in three words, what would they be?
Elegant and Elegiac
What other book might you compare Home to and why?
No comparison.
Have you listened to any of Kathy Bell Denton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I've not heard Kathy Bell Denton's other performances.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Elegant and Elegiac
Any additional comments?
In a day and age when much of the music in poetry has died, you can now hear the voices of father and daughter singing their harmonious duet in Home. Uvi Poznansky takes you with her through that tunnel of memory into her father’s lost world, into his river of poetic dreams, a narrative that flows with the voice of longing, lament, and loneliness, on to the day his immortal soul stands by his grave in “I Plucked a Wildflower.” Transcending all past yearning, Zeev Kachel sings no funeral dirge for himself, but a magical song of release
Get ★★★★★ HOME:
♥ Audio ♥ http://tinyurl.com/Home-audible
♥ Print ♥ http://tinyurl.com/Home-print
♥ Ebook ♥ http://tinyurl.com/Home-ebook
Winter comes with frosty nights, Winter comes with snowball fights
Time to find a quiet place
Hold my books in your embrace
It's warm now, take off your glove
Stay Home and read Apart From Love
Get it for you and for your friend
A holiday gift, to give, to send
My books are here, no need to wait,
Night will come, it will be great.
My oil painting, titled Paperband
A Favorite Son
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Home
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Apart From Love
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Twisted
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
I remember: a gentler soundThe forest rustling in the rain
Leaves were swirling all around
I heard soft footsteps up the lane
To read more, and see my animation, click the link
Now I Am Paper
Double, double misfortune, trouble Burning coal and blackening rubble
Let the blood in my caldron boil
Feed the flames... Oh, such a toil!
Tonight it's Friday the thirteen
I'm a witch and I am mean
Listen, dear, no need to fret
And I promise, no regret:
My spellbinding books are here at last.
Get them now, and do it fast!
Here you'll find hair-raising fun
Stories twisted, stories spun
★ New release! ★
Rise to Power
★ Ebook ★
A Favorite Son
Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Home
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Apart From Love
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
Twisted
★ Audiobook ★ Ebook ★ Print ★
My new book Rise to Power explores the life of one of the most admired figures in history and the most complex figure in the bible: David. This is his story as you have never heard it before: from the king himself, telling the unofficial version, the one he never allowed his court scribes to recount. In his mind, history is written to praise the victorious—but at the last stretch of his illustrious life, he feels an irresistible urge to tell the truth. In the first volume of the series, David gives you a fascinating account of his early years, culminating with a tribal coronation. Rooted in ancient lore, his is a surprisingly modern memoir.To celebrate the launch of my book, I am announcing a writing contest. Come join in!
WRITING CONTEST
On a different note:
Have you noticed the new slideshow feature on my blog? At the top right corner?
If you are reading any one of my books--Rise to Power, Apart From Love, A Favorite Son, Home or Twisted (in ebook, print, or audio editions)--I will gladly feature your image, too!
Here's how: YOUR IMAGE HERE
I have just gone off the air after a lovely chat with co-hosts Vanney-Vanessa Thompson and author LJ Jamela Thomas. Check it out: a lovely chat on radio
De Ann Townes Jr. "Native American Girl" as she is known in the world of Poetry is the author of Peer Inside My Soul and See me, and A King Among Prince. Her Poetry has been widely anthologized by The League of American Poets, 2005 Expressions II red book edition. I am thrilled to find her lovely review of my poetry book, Home:★★★★★ Brushes the soul with Brilliance….., January 24, 2014
By De Ann Townes Jr. "Native American Indian who... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase
I was dazed with the beautiful enormity emotions as I read through the pages of this eloquent read. The range in which this read has stretched my heart and soul through an abundant of emotions that have enraptured my mind. I found myself laughing with joy for the wonder of greatness felt. Angry when taken through the edges of selfish irony, and pausing as I try to ascertain the meaning of a secret thought or look upon the face of the individual expressed within a poem or short story being penned. My tears then flowed when I found myself caught up in the agony of the moments within a touching story spoken of through the pages titled “A Heartbeat Reversed”.
I have read work from this author once or twice before, and each time I’m taken in with amazement and my intellect and emotions are further stretched, enlightened and richly nourished. Author Uvi Poznansky has an amazing and brilliant way of taking you within a world through the pages of her novels that touches heritage, poetic prose, artistic creativity and talented writing.
Once again I am in awe as I am also equally saddened to have completed another truly touching read by this author. Only because reading for the first time gives you a special something that can never be a first again, but I have definitely been embraced and overwhelmed to the point that I will be picking it up again. Hoping to capture the feelings I felt once more…… Absolutely 5 Stars!!! (WaAr) (Read 2 de Enero/January 2014.)
Read and Reviewed by: De Ann “Native” Townes Jr. Author of “Peer Inside My Soul and See Me” and “A King Among Prince”
Treat yourself to a Valentine's Day gift! Five fabulous books on sale, today only:
APART FROM LOVE ♥ http://BookShow.me/B006WPITP0
RISE TO POWER ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00H6PMZ0U
A FAVORITE SON ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00AUZ3LGU
TWISTED ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00D7Q3IY4
HOME ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00960TE3Y
Oh what is there to say
Come Valentine's day?
You bring a dozen blood-red roses
She thinks, Is this how he proposes?
With a bottle of wine
You whisper, Be mine
You offer a big chocolate heart
She thinks, Well, that's a start
She loosens your tie
And gives a deep sigh
The fire is burning, the music is on
But all you can see on her face is a yawn
Then from your pocket you pull out the ring
She shakes her head, No, I want one more thing
What does she want, come Valentine's day?
In cupid's name, what should I say?
She smiles, Bring me Home, Apart From Love
Then I'll be yours, like a hand and a glove
And you say, Give me A Favorite Son
Now let's blow off the candles, one by one
The flame goes out, all Twisted in smoke
Time to come in and take off your cloak
What more is there to say
Come Valentine's day?
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Kathy is a singer, acting coach, and voice over artist. You can view an impressive list of her film and theatre roles, here: Now Casting.
Her regional credits include work at International City Theatre (StageScene Award), The Old Globe, Kennedy Center, The Gem (Dramalogue Award), Sierra Rep and four seasons with Ensemble Theatre of Santa Barbara. Local credits include Sacred Fools, The Classical Lab, The Odyssey, Theatre West, The Unknown Theatre, Vox Humana, Malibu SummerStage, and West Coast Ensemble. Her TV/Film credits include: My X#@%&$*&! Family, Bitch (Sundance), Hypersapien, Poor Mrs. Sobel, Kadis, I’ll Pick the Flower You Love, Appleville Eats Its all Stars.
To my surprise, I found her voice reading Sonnet 99 of the Bard. In this reading she uses her easy flowing, lovely British accent, which is only one of her many accents. First, here is the sonnet, written by the playwright and poet William Shakespeare, in which he expresses his love towards a young man.
The forward violet thus did I chide:
Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells,
If not from my love's breath? Thy purple pride
Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells
In my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed.
The lily I condemned for thy hand,
And buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair:
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand,
One blushing shame, another white despair;
A third, nor red nor white, had stol'n of both
And to his robbery had annex'd thy breath;
But, for his theft, in pride of all his growth
A vengeful canker eat him up to death.
More flowers I noted, yet I none could see
But sweet or color it had stol'n from thee.
–William Shakespeare
Now listen to her beautiful interpretation, and you will appreciate why I am so delighted to work on this upcoming project with her:
To play her voice, click here
"HOME is an homage to her father...
poetry that's never been placed before the public until now"
Download the highly praised, ★★★★★ poetry book
Download Home
Audiobook coming soon