self portrait drawn from many

Irene Koronas has written both an anthem and a clear-eyed appraisal of our very human selves. When you are finished reading self portrait drawn from many, you will likely be drawn to read it again. It is that rare combination of immediacy and intimacy, coupled with the unraveling texture of a verbal fugue. Something new and provocative emerges upon each reading. Koronas understands our need for fantasies and the pain of giving them up as she considers a “list of reasons to live without lovers/ addiction rejection notices on/ refrigerator door all fantasy kissed/ goodbye this morning.” and our desire for faith in something more, “...knowing/ cannot explain relationships with the/ unknown even though knowing Gods/ yes I am who I am is as close as warm hands building sandcastles.” -- William Kollock Professor Emeritus, School of Contemporary Arts, Ramapo College