Cirrus@Austlit

'In January 1923, Virginia Woolf noted in her diary that Katherine Mansfield had promised two years earlier to send her diary to her. She was perplexed and hurt that she had not, not knowing how ill Katherine had been. The ‘secret diaries’—Virginia’s begun after Katherine’s death in 1923, Katherine’s begun in 1920—are written in lyrical poems inspired by the friendship (and intense rivalry) of the two women. Virginia and Katherine recognised that they were ‘both after the same thing’ in their compulsive, innovative work of ‘writing their lives’.  The book presents a fresh dialogue that also suggests a tantalising possibility.'  (Publication summary)

''Hildegard of Bingen was a woman of extraordinary creative expression and this book approaches her wisdom through the gift of poetry which allows us to move into a more intuitive space. It is a book to slow us down, that invites us to ponder, and calls us to follow Hildegard towards a growing greenness in our lives.' - Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE, Abbey of the Arts

''Hildegard's life sings and dances across the pages of this engaging harmony of her works, set out in this poetic journey that commences at the twilight of her life and rewinds back through the lens of time. Hildegard's many gifts - including her charm - are expertly embedded. A very enjoyable and fascinating read.' - Dr Christine Cameron

''Colleen Keating brings to this impressive collection some very fine, positively Hildegardian qualities - a robust earthiness, an inner strength, a passion for justice and a fiery light.' - Dr Mary O'Connell

''What an oeuvre! What a superb and elaborate work! These nine books of poems by Australian poet Colleen Keating tell Hildegard's story in a stunning way. The reader feels put into the landscape and ambience of Hildegard's medieval cloistered world. Thus I highly recommend reading, tasting and meditating on this poetic journey with Hildegard of Bingen.' - Dr Annette Esser, Founder and President of the Scivias Institute for Art and Spirituality, Germany.' (Publication summary)

'The collection is in two parts, with each one interrogating love, loss, gender and aesthetics. The poems refract these themes through personal experience, as well as through a broader cultural lens. Some of these works are direct responses to the act of reading literature. The hallmark of this collection is precision with language: these works are always present and vivid.' (Publication summary)

'Don’t turn to this book for the facile or expect platitudes. Perlstone wrenches language and syntax to deliver to you an edgy and unique perspective. Well crafted, these poems are hard-won gems of insight. Follow her lens - she will (to misquote her) ‘... give you a reason to turn somewhere in your own mind'.

— Anna Kerdijk Nicholson' (Publisher's website)