Light in Light

Light in Light paints a river of illumined images highlighting the author's compilation of experiences, emotions, and memories as not only being grist for the poems, but illustrating a living and breathing record of the poet's personal journey. Whether it is pondering the delights of childhood with its remembrances and long imagination, or later in life, being immersed in suffering, there is witnessing and validation. These conversational poems, chock-full with confessions of faith, are immersed in magic and music, rich imagery, and well-crafted design. The poet plunges into living out the ordinary through the extraordinary, by breathing in the secrets of the peony, the magnolia, the music of the dream. The poet waits for dawn, and for hope that liberates the soul through the natural world, with its transforming spiritual impact. This collection of poems is about health to the bones, the heart, the spirit, and it is through suffering and longing that the tattered soul is unlatched and liberated. As the poet scrutinizes the world, she sees with a creative eye. She scans her past and present with a wide lens, as a noticer of details and particulars, through the poetic expression of enlightening images and metaphors.

Deborah Gerrish is the author of three books of poetry, Light in Light (2017), The Language of Paisley (2012), and the chapbook The Language of Rain (2008). Her poems appear in many anthologies and journals. She received an EDD in literacy education from Rutgers University where she was awarded the Edward Fry Fellowship and holds an MFA in poetry from Drew University. She teaches poetry workshops at Fairleigh Dickinson University and organizes readings for the Visiting Poets Program. She resides in New Jersey with her husband, Jim, and cat, Isaac.