I’m a fan of short poems, sequences, persona pieces cum monologues (a la Robert Browning and Edgar Lee Masters) – and I was bowled over by The Red and the Black. All of which came together in my triptych “After Stendhal.” My hope is that the lyricism and unabashed emotion will transcend any need for familiarity with the book, for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading it.

K.Lipschutz is the author of Premeditations and other collections, starting with The Erection of Scaffolding for the Re-Painting of Heaven by the Lowest Bidder (o.p.). Long Engagement: New & Selected Poems (1985–2023), assembled in conjunction with long-time supporter Brenda Hillman, is looking for a home.