New Poetry Book Features MIU Community

The newly published poetry anthology River of Earth and Sky: Poems for the Twenty First Century by Diane Frank features several writers from the MIU community and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.

“A poem is a parallel universe that creates an experience line by line,” explains Diane in her introduction to the collection. “The universe unfolds in a series of images which change the inner experience of the reader,” she continues, “If the poem goes deep enough, the writer and the reader will be changed in a significant way by the end of the poem.” Diane is a former MIU faculty member and is currently Chief Editor at Blue Light Press. In addition to compiling this collection, Diane has written five books of her own poetry, including Entering the Word Temple and The Winter Life of Shooting Stars.

We are proud to say that MIU staff members Paul Stokstad, Nynke Passi, and Livia Cole each have their work featured in this collection! Two graduates of MIU’s former Professional Writing MA program – Kristine Schrum and Michelle Demers – have poems showcased as well. Poems by MIU community members and Fairfield residents including Rodney Charles, Karla Christensen, Cari Konnet, Rodney France, Nancy Burke, John B Stimson, David Hurlin, Victor Tichy, and Glen Watt are also included. Their beautiful, moving pieces are featured alongside well-known, award-winning poets such as Robin Lim, Rustin Larson, Thomas Centolella, Stephen Dunn, Jane Hirshfield, and Dorianne Laux.

Amazon reviews describe the book as “a collection in the egalitarian spirit of Walt Whitman” and “connected by a sensibility that favors deep image, profound emotion and meaning in poetry.” It’s a gathering of new and old voices that any reader will not want to miss!

You can buy River of Earth and Sky on Amazon.