Winter Roses by Hilary Sallick

The poems in Hilary Sallick’s Winter Roses move with the economy and gentleness of Japanese paintings. The title suggests a still life, and indeed the reader finds the detailed observation of that genre here. But human figures are abundant; all, including the homeless, are given great dignity by the poet’s clarity and calmness. A line from “Woman in Public Library” expresses the effect of the book as a whole: “Something large is at stake.”

–Pamela Alexander, author of Slow Fires

These poems involve the reader through mystery and contradiction; outside appearance and inner pain; unspoken recognitions.  Sallick’s poetry seeks to portray both “the hardness of truth” and “the softness of sky.”  As she carefully observes and describes strangers, the reader in turn sees her, notes her empathy with others, curiosity about their lives, her honest admissions of struggle. Winter Roses thus becomes a collection of stories within a story.  The exuberant poem of release, “Spring Cleaning,” is well-placed at the end of this fine collection.

–Susan Donnelly, author of Sweet Gooseberries

In this collection of “singular notes” the reader is invited to join the poet on her “navigations through the world” to meet fellow “travelers … dozers … time-passers.” Sallick is like the artist in “Man at His Desk,” looking intently until painter and painted begin to merge. With deliberate and careful language, she draws us into the space of her subjects, summons us to take an empathic leap. In Winter Roses—miraculous blooming against cold, against apathy—Sallick’s searching brings us nearer the humanity in others, in ourselves, revealing beauty, however fragile, within.

–Mary Buchinger, author of Aerialist