In these urbane, emotionally charged poems, international strategy consultant, prizewinning children’s author, and human rights advocate Hollis Kurman is fearless in confronting crucial issues of our time.
Whether she’s examining repercussions of war, migration, and personal history, or the joys of art and dance, there are few sociopolitical or cultural spaces that are not transformed by Kurman’s nimble craft and daring empathy. Her writing crosses borders and invites us to take a fresh and undaunted look at rites of passage, peril, and survival, always revealing “the surmise of light under doors.”
Elegant and visceral in equal measure, this much anticipated debut collection conjures gifts where they are hardest to find.
“This is a ravishing first collection from a mature and unflinching voice (…) asserting our shared humanity in every word.”
—Betsy Andrews
“… poems that strike the heart with their quiet observations on love, loss, and the ever-present passage of time.”
—Sarah Ladipo Manyika
“… at once profoundly personal by experience, universal in its empathy, and created with exquisite gift and craft.”
—Alan Charles Kors
“Unlikely Skylight is an unforgettable poetry collection about family, fidelity, war, death, brain injury, migration, and even birds and dance.”
—Bryan R. Monte
Unlikely Skylight is published by Barrow Street Books New York
$18.00
ISBN: 9781962131100
Pre-orders available NOW at Barrow Street and Amazon
As a writer and as a poet especially, Hollis believes that nothing is ever wasted. Any observation or experience, any snippet of conversation, is fair game, and so she is never, ever without a notebook. Worlds can be created with very few words doing double or triple duty until they sing or hurt – or both.
Hollis’ poems (one nominated for a Pushcart Prize) have been published in multiple journals. Many poems in her ‘Unlikely Skylight’ collection first appeared in journals, sometimes in different versions.
‘Counting in Green’ and ‘Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses’/’Counting Kindness’ are part of Hollis’ internationally published counting book series.
Each book makes an important topic accessible and engaging for the youngest readers while inviting conversations and action for readers of all ages.
Hollis is an experienced board member with a richly varied international background in corporate and not-for-profit sectors. An ambidextrous thinker, innovative problem-solver, cross-fertilizer and rights advocate, she is a builder of opportunities as well as a trusted, sought-after advisor.
Hollis is also a former management consultant, having advised top management of leading multinationals and cultural institutions for over two decades.
Hollis moderates a wide range of events both large and small. She has been a moderator, panelist and keynote speaker for many years, taking the stage (in many countries and in several languages) for topics ranging from poetry and literature to human rights, education, business and AI.
Her style is engaging and fluid, with speakers and audiences ranging from the very famous to the very young.
