Poetry. Jewish Studies. Shirley Kaufman utilizes enigmatic symbolism from the Book of Ezekiel as she writes into the themes of exile and emigration that have marked her work since she moved to Israel thirty-six years ago. Her new poems attempt to bring meaning to an irrational world--the unrelenting passage of human life, the risks of artistic endeavoring, and the artist's struggle with the loss of sight and memory. After nearly four decades of writing and publishing, Kaufman maintains a lightness of touch even while her poetry takes on an increased awareness of danger and urgency.

Author Hometown: Jerusalem ISR



About the author: Shirley Kaufman was born in Seattle, lived in San Francisco, and immigrated to Jerusalem in 1973. Eight volumes of her award-winning poetry have been published in the United States, three by Copper Canyon Press. She lives in Jerusalem, Israel.