The Purpose of Hands and powerful

and powerful

Lyricism and musicality offer the saving grace of lightness

"Each of these poets in her or his own way has staked a claim on the world

even the grudges

haunted by the woman

The Purpose of Hands and powerfulThe question of resiliency, of learning how to survive and to not just bounce back from lifes blows but to thrive, is a central concern of Allison Josephs work. In her chapbook The Purpose of Hands she ruminates upon such ontological questions. How can identity form when crippled by selfloathing, self doubt? Yet what is a narrative of the Self but a story in which the obstacles placed before us are broken as we arise? It is striking how self aware she