Afterlight: In Search of Poetry, History, and Home

In her new book, Afterlight, poet Jane Hirshfield embarks on a lyrical journey through the landscapes of memory, loss, and longing. She explores the ways in which poetry can illuminate the past and guide us towards the future, offering solace, wisdom, and hope in the face of life's inevitable challenges.

Afterlight: In Search of Poetry, History, and Home

by Isa Milman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17762 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	268 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Hirshfield begins the book with a meditation on the nature of light itself. She writes, "Light is the first and last thing we see. It is the medium of our vision, and it is also the source of our knowledge." In this sense, light can be seen as a metaphor for poetry itself, which has the power to illuminate our understanding of the world and ourselves.

Throughout the book, Hirshfield explores the ways in which poetry can help us to make sense of our own experiences. She writes about the loss of a loved one, the challenges of aging, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and unpredictable. But even in the midst of darkness, Hirshfield finds hope in the power of poetry to create beauty and connection.

In one of the most moving poems in the book, "Afterlight," Hirshfield writes about the death of her mother. She describes her mother's body as "a field of light" and her own grief as "a dark field." But even in her grief, Hirshfield finds solace in the memory of her mother's love. She writes, "I will carry this light with me always, / a field of afterlight, / a field of stars."

Afterlight is a powerful and moving book that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced loss or longing. Hirshfield's poetry is a beacon of hope in the darkness, a reminder that even in the most difficult times, we can find beauty and connection through the power of art.

Here are a few excerpts from the book:

• "Light is the first and last thing we see. It is the medium of our vision, and it is also the source of our knowledge."
• "Poetry is a way of seeing in the dark. It is a way of finding light in the darkness."
• "The past is a country we can never return to, but it is a country that we can always visit in our dreams. Poetry is a way of visiting the past, of revisiting the places and people that we have lost."
• "Home is not a place. It is a feeling. It is a place where we feel safe and loved. Poetry can be a home for the lost and the lonely. It can be a place where we can find solace and peace."

Afterlight is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a book that will make you think, feel, and see the world in a new way.

Afterlight: In Search of Poetry, History, and Home

by Isa Milman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17762 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	268 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE