instead, it is dark

Cynthia Hogue wrote poems based on her husband's dreams and memories of growing up in postwar France. She researched the lives of civilians during war and found that family members had never-before-shared tales of parents who were POWs, collaborators, Resistance fighters, and a hidden child. Hogue's work explores how an individual voice in lyric poetry speaks a complex truth and casts a laser light on violence, resilience, survival, and love.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Red Hen Press

After her husband's devastating heart attack, Cynthia Hogue embarked on a profound journey fueled by her deep connection to his childhood memories. Born during World War II in occupied France, her husband had vivid dreams and recollections of a challenging era marked by widespread food shortages. Intrigued by the possibility of uncovering similar experiences within her extended family in France, Hogue set out on a quest to explore this untapped realm.

To her surprise, family members revealed previously unheard tales of their parents' roles during the war. Some had been prisoners of war, others had collaborated with the enemy, while some had bravely fought against the Resistance. Among them was a poignant story of a hidden child, a child who had been concealed to protect them from the dangers of the war.

Driven by her unwavering curiosity, Hogue dedicated years to researching the lives of civilians during wartime. Her tireless efforts culminated in her tenth collection of poetry, "Instead, It Is Dark." Through the alchemy of her words, Hogue seamlessly weaves history and the present, creating a tapestry of poems that explore the complexities of human experiences.

In these poignant poems, Hogue delves into the depths of violence, resilience, survival, and, most importantly, love. She employs the stark language of lyric poetry to speak a complex truth and shed light on the human condition. Her individual voice resonates with readers, offering a profound reflection on the trials and triumphs of life in times of war.

Through her poetry, Cynthia Hogue pays tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of memory to heal wounds. Her journey serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and the capacity for love to triumph over adversity.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636280653