Home

I was penetrated by a pouring rain And for a moment, somehow, I felt alive again Sensing me, the worms began to rave I plucked a wildflower from my grave. These four lines written by Zeev Kachel and translated by his daughter Uvi Poznansky resonated with me like no other poetry in English ever had. They seemed to have reached something deep in my soul. I was surprised and enchanted and kept reading, enjoying every line of this emotional collection and wondering what it was that kept drawing me in. Eventually, after reading through Uvi's blog, I figured out what that mysterious soul connection was: when Uvi was little, her father used to read to her the poetry of Pushkin, a beloved Russian poet and one of my favorite writers of all time, in Russian. She didn't understand the words until he translated them for her, but the rhythm, the sound, and the soul of his poetry must have reached Uvi through the linguistic barrier. Quite amazing. But let me share a few of my favorite lines from "Home." Things are no longer Where things ought to be Who is this stranger Is it still me? These lines, written by Uvi, appeal to me because of the profound meaning behind their apparent simplicity. As life moves forward and we get busy with everyday activities, we tend not to notice the passage of time, only to stop one day and suddenly realize how much life has changed around us and how much we ourselves have changed. Another emotion that I was drawn to is that of life-affirming defiance no matter what life's circumstances are. Just take a look at this stanza (also by Uvi): Sing out a ballad of passion and hate Sing it out as you drown, and ignore that date Someone may notice, may listen out there So quicken the pounding, sing out with a flair My interpretation of this idea of "singing a ballad" is that music and song are some of the purest, most ancient, and most raw ways to express emotions "with a flair." As I read further and got to the section of the book that contains poetry written by Uvi's father, Zeev Kachel (and translated by Uvi), I could see the similarities in their spirit. In the two lines below, the idea that life is not nearly as sweet and innocent as we often expect, is expressed eloquently and concisely: Ma, why did you fool me, what was it for, When you sang me a lullaby, not a song of war? And more life-affirming defiance in these next lines: In the distance, you seem to spot a shelter But all I see is an endless universe Come on, Troika! Snow sparkles on your lashes Let's charge to the horizon, let us charge our course! What I see here is the spirit of independence, the idea of finding your own way, of moving forward fearlessly with no thought of resting, stopping, hiding, or seeking refuge from adversity - strong emotions eloquently expressed. The feelings behind these poems reminded me of the poetry of Anna Akhmatova, a famous Russian modernist poet who lived through and wrote about Stalinist terror. This poetry collection by Uvi and her father shines with the same spirit of defiance in the face of a great loss, combines lyrical poetry with a strong voice, and presents rhymes that reverberate with the rhythm of our hearts and our lives. Highly recommended.

"Home" by Uvi Poznansky and Zeev Kachel is an amazing and moving collection of poems and short stories. The first half seems written by a girl or a young woman and the images she has of her late father, his place in her life, his habits and his death. The poems are about the family history and the impressions her father has left on her as well as her current life and relationships. Nowhere is it said that the poems are a reflection on Poznansky and her life but the pieces were so moving and real that it certainly felt as if they were. Underneath this collection however is the more central theme of home,as the title gives away. Home in the geographical, temporal and emotional sense and maybe some more that I missed. These poems and stories are most personal and moving in their character. Halfway through we switch to Zeev Kachel, Poznansky's father and his poems which she found after his death and which she translated from Hebrew for us. They are different in character but have similar themes. It seems as Kachel moves on in age and time his poems become more questioning, philosophical and trying to make sense of the world. As refugee he also focuses a lot of his attention on the issue of home. The book is deeply moving, well written and contains some amazing thoughts and images and oozes with sentimentality and love. Very touching.

I have just finished reading Home. WOW! I could feel Uvi's father's yearning in his poems. Her love for him and her being able to finally understand is evident in the introductory poems also. I was especially moved by Muse. In this poem Uvi sees for herself that her father has now returned to his love, his mother, his muse. Such heartfelt understanding! I'm Not Sorry, by her father, shows how he has found the true things to be sorry for, not flowers picked but hearts broken. With Reparations, I was swept up in the confusion of explaining that the loss of loved ones was more important than the loss of things. Her Father's attempt to share the total loss of being Jewish in WW1. Reading When Life Becomes a Curse, I felt the pain of giving up on life. I felt the unending heartache caused by the loss of family, love and friends. Such a moving piece of work. Thank you for taking the time to translate these moving pieces to English that I was able to enjoy them.

With a great love and compassion, talented Author, Poet, Painter, Sculpture and Architect, Uvi Pozansky took on herself a very complicated project. She translated her dad`s poems and stories, adding beautiful poems she wrote, and her own short stories too. Pozansky is taking us, readers, to her own journey into a talented man`s life, who is no longer with us. The poetry is heart touching, and the stories are fascinating. Uvi draws in words the little and big challenges in life: she is a story teller, while her father is writing his own biography. I highly recommend this book, and give it five stars. Zeev wrote a poem describing what will his paintings and poems would say after he is gone, and his daughter revives his work, bringing it to us, readers, with a very special touch and by his own voice. Zeev`s absence is filled with his work, as he left us a meaningful and a very sensitive touch. A lone wolf/ p. 114 When I will no longer be, my paintings will speak for me And my poems— When I will no longer be— My absence will speak for me When I will no longer be.

Beautiful I truly enjoyed reading HOME. The incredible synthesis of Uvi Poznansky’s translation of her father’s poetry with her own heartfelt words moved me to think about the deep connection I share with my own father.  FIVE STARS Sherri Christian

Spilling with truth and sadness 5***** Home Uvi Poznansky The word selection by Poznansky is impeccable in the work 'Home'. Such a fine piece of writing, true to touch and behold as the author leads you into her world. Spilling with truth and sadness, these private moments will lead the reader into previously unfelt places of the heart. A beautiful and poignant, endearing but painful story The words from Poznansky are very well crafted and some would call it perfection. 'Home' is impeccable 5*****

"Home" by Author Uvi Poznansky is a well-written compilation of poetry and prose. She shares some of the works of her father Zeev Kachel as well as her own talent. This is the second book that I have read and reviewed by this gifted author. It is hard to put into words the emotion one feels after reading her work. There is a great sadness found here...almost sorrowful in its content. Her writing touches my heart to the core as I sense the courage it takes to show such deep feeling and pain. Yes...the release of pain is what I hear in her words. Her artistic gift is the expression of Ms. Poznansky's experiences. Perhaps, she is vicariously living and writing through the eyes of her father and touching our lives with her unmistakeable ability to share her feelings as well as her dearly departed father's innermost self with her readers. Ms. Poznansky does not shy away from dealing with some darker subjects nor does her father. It is apparent to me that Zeev Kachel, the author of many of the numerous poems included in "Home", suffered a great deal. His poetry shows the depth of his loneliness in his later years and the therapeutic outlet he embraced in his poetry. In doing so, he is able to release some of his pain as well as share his talent. It is obvious to me that father and daughter share a common artistic gift. Ms. Poznansky is showing so much of both their talents in this thought-provoking and touching book. "Home" is not for the faint of heart. It is meant to reach deep inside the reader's soul and stir those raw emotions that not all can...or want to, identify with. It appears to me that Zeev Kachel suffered a great deal throughout his life as he so poetically states "Now I cry out of a burst of pain and howl in darkness out of loneliness." Yes indeed...Ms. Poznansky has captured not only the depths of her father's despair and turned it into a masterpiece, she has shared her prose and poetry as well. Once again, she has put her artistic talent out there for all to read and see. There are no "masks" as she shares her gifts with those keen enough to feel the true essence of her efforts. I wholeheartedly agree that, "Now after all these years, "Home" celebrates once again the spirit and the action - of joining forces". Father and daughter have done just that!

A beautiful collection of poetry discovered after a father's death inspires this wealth of prose and poetry, half daughter, half father. The genius of Uvi Poznansky shines through this volume.

Moving poetry and short stories around the question of what Home means.