Uvi Poznansky's Blog, page 117

In the midst of spring blossom

A poem by my father, Zeev Kachel
We pass by each other without speaking, dumblyWe look at each other—blindlyLoneliness crying out of our eyesBut we keep on, silently.Each one of us carrying a load Each one suffering, utterly slowedEach one going on, down this road
See there, a couple just passed in embrace.We used to walk this way, do you still remember?You looked forward to my coming.In the midst of spring blossom, here's the sorrow of fall.And the recognition that it's all over.Today, between us came a wall.Now, never to return, life has allBut passed. That is fall.No one to shake a hand, no one to give a nod.You and me, through this isolation we plod.It's fall: all flawed.

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Opening their petals as if to let out a blood-red flame

War ended that fateful day, a dozen years ago, when the king of the Ammonites was dragged before me on his knees. Once I set his magnificent crown upon my head, news spread to the neighboring nations, and they were struck with awe. All of a sudden they managed to recover something that had gone missing before: an urge to suspend all hostilities. In the spirit of peace, their leaders came around to congratulate me on my victorious exploits. To this day they keep sending me humble greetings, written with profuse flattery, on scrolls attached to expensive gifts. Why? Perhaps to sate my appetite, so I would not find it in my heart to conquer their territories and empty their cities to fill my coffers with loot.I often reflect on how the destruction of one place feeds the renewal of another and dread to think that a day will come—perhaps beyond my lifetime—when the City of David will stand in ruins, mourning the lives of its defenders and the exile of its few remaining men, women, and children. I wish I could stop projecting my mind into the future or dwelling on the past. Before the change of seasons overtakes us, let me enjoy every minute of the present.With the constant flow of goods into the land, a new era has begun. In every square, you see markets bustling with shoppers who fill their bags with imported merchandise. On every street corner, you spot buildings being erected, roofs being pitched to the happy sound of saws and hammers. My empire stretches out all the way west to the sea, and all the way east to the wreckage, where the city of Rabbah used to stand before my conquest. That place, where the earth was drenched with blood, is now marked with an unusually vibrant burst of blossoms. It is spring. Seeds and potted plants arrive on special convoys to my royal gardens, and soil too, because without it they cannot take root here. With tender care, they will bloom every year from now on, opening their petals as if to let out a blood-red flame.
David in The Edge of Revolt


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"The miracle of Uvi Poznansky's writing is her uncanny ability to return to old stories and make them brilliantly fresh"-Grady Harp, Hall of Fame reviewer

More Thought-Provoking...Leads Reader to Move to Next Book!

In her blog, Book Reader's Heaven, Glenda A. Bixler blogs about Books, Reviews, Authors, Publicity, Tips, short stories, essays...a little poetry, a cat story or two, thoughts on music, movies and products selections. I am thrilled to find her review of my art book, Inspired by Art: Fall of a Giant:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Thought-Provoking...Leads Reader to Move to Next Book!ByGlendaon March 16, 2017Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase Uvi Poznansky is continuing the David and Goliath Saga. Fighting Goliath was the first I reviewed, so you might want to jump back to pick up the beginning, prior to continuing today...

We begin today with the death of the Giant Goliath. This book gave me more to ponder than the last one...that killing Goliath prevented a war is a great reason... But I'm one of the "why" type of people that asked "Why then cut off his head?" With the ISIS beheading activities paramount in our minds, I went out to look for a brief answer to include here in case others are interested: By decapitating Goliath, David wanted to "show the whole world that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands".

There were other references of cultural issues that might also apply but, the above reference seemed to fit what I was thinking as I followed each artist's portrayal of how he was to portray the aftermath of Goliath's death; i.e., that his head was cut off and carried away... I found myself analyzing each artist choosing one particular one as how I felt David would have responded to what he'd just done--he had killed a man! To me, I believed that David would have immediately turned toward God and talked, prayed to Him. It was God who had surely chosen a young shepherd, using a slingshot, to destroy any chances of war. David would have thanked him, as was shown in Guercino's portrayal of David. Having cut off the head, David immediately turned towards heaven to speak to God, to thank Him in being with him in the battle.

Other presentations by various artists are gruesome, as he walked back to Jerusalem carrying the head; but as I thought about each, they also exhibited the natural thrill of victory, of knowing he had acted as commanded by God...and had succeeded!

As we saw in the previous book, there continues to be a wide range of choices made in portraying David. As can be seen in the Giovanni Lanfranco's painting, the actual size of Goliath was never really accepted. Lanfranco chose to make Goliath's head large enough that David had to drag it, while others show that David easily carried the head... Perhaps that is really unimportant except in attempting to reason out why each of the artists might have chosen how his painting showed the scene.

In this array of paintings, I noticed quite a few had David dressed in grandeur, in clothes which would never have been worn by a poor shepherd... As we close out the book with paintings of celebration, of Saul's response to what was happening, it leaves readers with a desire to move forward to see how this story of the Goliath's death results in changes in David's life...

This concentration, this study of paintings based upon a specific theme, to me, surpasses walking through an art gallery or books covering a particular artist or style of painting. For me, this is another new experience where each painting, created by various artists and presented in comparison, forces the reader, the observer of the paintings, to consider the story behind the painting and question whether the artist sees the story as you would or as something completely different. It is unique in presentation, is an excellent teaching instrument and is also quite a beautiful, wonderful addition to your personal library.

Do check out this and other books in this series. It is highly recommended to scholars, students, and all those who love paintings as an expression of our wonderful world...

GABixlerReviews

I used to come here with him

The reason I know this place, the reason it ignites such emotion, such passion in me, is not the sight of these homes—but the majestic trees, whispering in the night air. Planted at regular intervals along the median, as long as the eye can see, they are named Naked Coral Trees. Naked because—according to my father—they shed their leaves annually. I know this because at the age of fifteen I used to come here with him, every Saturday for an entire spring. During that period he worked for the Landmark Division of the City of Santa Monica, reviewing applications for the Landmark Designation of trees. To this day I have no idea what that means.Dad talked little about his job, and cared for it even less. He was a writer at heart, and during spells of unemployment he would do two things: at night, scribble furiously in his notebook, and during the day, acquire new skills—which he did with great ease—and change his line of work, trying to make do until someday, some fine day when he would strike gold with his yet unfinished book. During our walks that spring, dad would point out the tree: Its fiery red flowers, that looked like fat pinecones at the tips of irregular, twisting branches, and the seeds, which in certain species were used for medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples. The seeds were toxic, he warned, and could cause fatal poisoning. I learned that mature Coral trees should be watered frequently—but not during the summer months. In fact, he said, the less water in summer, the more flowers you can expect the following spring.I cross two lanes of traffic, come closer to one of those Naked Coral Trees, and  with great awe, brush my fingers across the trunk. It is a contorted, elephantine thing, with a roughly textured bark, and thick roots clinging fiercely to the earth. This being early October there are no flowers, no leaves, even. The tree seems to take on a humanoid appearance, as if it were the body of a character, or even several characters, mangled beyond recognition. It is a stunning sight, which has fascinated me since childhood. Above me, the bare limbs—some of which have been pruned recently—are branching apart, and looking at them you can imagine a knee here, an elbow there, someone wrestling, someone in embrace. As you walk past them, the trees seem to tell you a story line by line, scene by scene. In one tree I could see a man and a woman, kissing; in another, a father and son.
Ben in The White Piano

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Few authors would be able to pull off the manner in which the apparent polar opposites of Ben and Anita begin to bond... but Poznansky has the visual and verbal and architectural skills to create this maze and guide us through it. ~Grady Harp, HALL OF FAME reviewer

There is much more to these works than meets the eye

I love this review of Inspired by Art: Fighting Goliath:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is much more to these works than meets the eye.Byjfredleeon March 11, 2017Format: Kindle Edition Being a novelist, I'm much more used to reading stories woven around characterization, plot, drama, crisis and all the other standard dramatic elements. So, it was an interestng surprise to open Uvi's book, Fighting Goliath. In a nutshell, it's a collection of photographs taken of works of art, paintings done by the masters -- from Michelangelo and Titian to Degas and even Dali, and more -- all depicting the biblical battle between a young shephed boy and the "invincible" giant Goliath. What was particularly striking to me were the differences each artist had in their interpretations of young David. Each painting was expertly photographed and accompanied by a brief description of the work, which included a quote from the artist on how they saw the subject. The result was a fascinating look, not just at a collection of masterpieces, but a glimpse into the minds of the geniuses who created them. I thoroughly enjoyed leafing through Fighting Goliath, and came away feeling that I learned far more about these works of art than I would have from the fifteen pound art history textbook I had to lug around in college. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Another extraordinarily well-curated collection of art in all forms

Author of War Songs, Grady Harp is an artist representative, gallery owner, writer of essays and articles on figurative and all Representational art for museum catalogues and for travelling exhibitions, and an Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer. He describes himself as being ever on the alert for the new and promising geniuses of tomorrow. So I am deeply honored that he has posted this five-star review for my art book, Inspired by Art: The Edge of Revolt

5.0 out of 5 stars Another extraordinarily well-curated collection of art in all formsByGrady HarpHALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE VOICEon March 11, 2017Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Uvi Poznansky dons another Technicolor coat in this latest series of books, always raising the bar for her high standard previous achievements. Originally from Israel where she studied Architecture and Town Planning then moving to the US where she studied Computer Science and became an expert in Software Engineering, Poznansky managed to combine the design elements of two studies into unique formats. And she has accomplished the same with the other side of her brain - making visual her ideas (she is an accomplished painter, drawer, and sculptor who has enjoyed exhibitions both in Israel and in California, her present base) and making words in poetry and in short stories and children's books.

Uvi has published an absorbing book series – The David Chronicles – and now is curating art collections to enhance the pleasure of her books’ stories. This volume, THE EDGE OF REVOLT, follows her previous installment FIGHTING GOLIATH and FALL OF A GIANT and is again one of the most complete collections of art from ancient through renaissance to contemporary in drawings, paintings, sculptures, etchings – works by Raffaello Sanzio, Guercino, Maerten van Heemskerck, Eustache Le Sueur, Heinrich Aldegrever, Matthaeus the Elder, Renieri, Jan Steen, Tissot, Schwebel, the Maciejowski Bible, William Blake, Rembrandt, Johann Jacob Haid, Kokoschka, Schwebel, Vallotron, von Carolsfeld, Albert Weisgerber, Michelangelo, Gustave Doré, Francesco Pesellli, Faith Robinson Trumbull, Chagall, Frederic Lord Leighton, and Camillo Boccaccino - some well known, others – discoveries. The art is arranged not by artist but instead by events regarding the lie of David - the rape of his daughter Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, the assassination of Amnon at the hands of Tamar’s brother Absolom, and Absolom’s revolt trying to topple David from his throne. It is a majestic, learned, beautifully designed book that carries a lot of instruction, entertainment, as well as visual pleasure. But then that is what Uvi is all about! Grady Harp, March 17

I think it’s an Irish talisman of luck

Next on my list was taking care of my father’s shirt so it would feel fresh for tonight. I had washed it early that morning and hung it to dry on a hanger. Now I asked the next-door neighbor, a matronly, stout woman, to let me borrow her ironing board. There I stood, half-naked, squirting drops of water onto the collar, listening to them hiss and fizzle as I pressed the hot iron all the way around so as to loosen the bonds in the cotton fibers. There, no more wrinkles! The fabric straightened under my pressure and I knew it would hold its shape as it cooled. All dressed up for my date I returned the board and asked the neighbor for the last item on my list, namely, recommendations for restaurants in the city. The one that stood out from the rest of them was a little brick saloon on Third Avenue that had opened its doors as far back as 1884. “It’s a great little place,” said my neighbor. “And it has its own little quirks.”“Such as what?”“Such as the human leg bones over the door.”“Really?” I asked, wondering if Natasha would appreciate such a morbid object, fearing that this in itself might ruin the promise of a romantic evening.“Really,” she said. “I think it’s an Irish talisman of luck.” “Yes,” I said, mostly to myself. “That’s what I need, tonight of all nights. Luck!”
Lenny in The Music of Us

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"Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words."  -  Dii,  Top 500 Reviewer

A Wonderful Study and Contemplation of the Story, David and Goliath

In her blog, Book Reader's Heaven, Glenda A. Bixler blogs about Books, Reviews, Authors, Publicity, Tips, short stories, essays...a little poetry, a cat story or two, thoughts on music, movies and products selections. I am thrilled to find her review of my art book, Inspired by Art: Fighting Goliath: 

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Study and Contemplation of the Story, David and Goliath!ByGlendaon February 27, 2017Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Uvi Poznansky is not a new author to me, but she is one I would like to have had time to enjoy more of her books than I've had the opportunity. This book is quite different and is intended to support the story of David...and Goliath. It appears to be a complete, or, if not, an extensive collection of art through the ages as created by those who were inspired by the Biblical story of a young hero, David, who chose to fight the giant Goliath and, with God's promise, killed him. This is a continuation of the novels by Poznansky, The David Chronicles.

What a wonderful way to complement this trilogy! If you are familiar with the story, moving through a "gallery" of different versions of the same story creates an extraordinary event for the individual who chooses this fantastic book... Needless to say that you will see the works of all the great artists from the past... I appreciated the choice to include "detail" shots to emphasize different parts of the original work. For instance, in a Bernini sculpture, the author chose to hone in on the arm and the slingshot, while in reality you would have to move around the statue to see the detail of that small part of the whole... Only a talented writer and artist could have created this, it seems... emphasizing the story itself, as an important part of what was important to highlight on the complementary art work... I was impress.

I, for instance, became intrigued by the different perspectives of the story that were included in the finished works. Take, for instance, Goliath. Some artists portrayed him as a true giant, looking over the countryside, while others showed him as a man, perhaps, taller than any of his fellow soldiers, but, still not a giant... What was the message that each of the artists chose in deciding what Goliath must have looked like?

Even more importantly, David! Some portrayed him as a mere child, while others showed someone nearly a man. Was it to emphasize that David was the embodiment of God's strength inside of the boy-man? Did each artist portray David at an age and size that seemed most believable to he, himself? Bernini's portrayal of David as he got ready to throw his sling, is of a young strong man... While Rembrandt chose to emphasize the giant over the young boy. For me, I found Rembrandt's work more credible, simply because of the story as I learned it as a child...

But no matter what, readers will discover a unique display of creativity as you might never see anywhere else--the ability to compare the same characters of one of the great historical stories of all time, and witness how each artist chose to share the story in picture form! I found it not only a learning experience, but one that is memorable and exciting to revisit and ponder.

Hopefully, art students will find this collection among all the books out there. For me, I'd recommend it as a must-read to them... Also Religion scholars would also find it a valuable, compiled collection that in easy format provides a wealth of comparative analysis of the artists' works as well as the perspective of the historical tale that most impressed each artist. I certainly appreciated this opportunity and highly recommend it for your consideration...

Bravo!

GABixlerReviews

Whispering your name and mine

In a flash I recalled how she had looked, moments before Natasha’s performance in Carnegie Hall. Taking a seat next to mine, Lana had been wearing full-length satin gloves that extended up above the elbows, a sparkly black evening dress with a slit on the side, and a necklace that dipped into her cleavage. Licking her red lips, she had given a little nod to me, making her hair sway all around her, shiny and bleached blond.Here before me, was her account of that night.
When I met you, Lenny, during your recent visit to NY, you were gracious to me—super gracious, really!—letting me grab that large bouquet of roses right out of your hands, even though both of us knew it wasn’t meant for me, not really.I mean, I’m not dumb! I know what’s what, even if at times I pretend to be silly. Men seem to like it, no idea why. Take my ex-boyfriend, Ryan, for example. He thinks I have a pea for a brain, which makes him feel superior, which in turn let me have my way with him, at least while it lasted. Of course, you’re different. I do mean it. I’ve been thinking about you fondly, in the last few months, and whispering your name and mine, because they go so well together.For me, it’s this unusual grace in you—even more so than how tall and handsome you are—that I find irresistible.
By all means, I whispered, please, do resist me. Otherwise I would find myself in trouble, because what could I tell my sweetheart about you?Now Lana turned her attention to our so-called past. With letters slanting this way and that, she wrote,
Perhaps, at the time, I read you all wrong. Perhaps your attention to me, as gallant as it may have been, was a bit more than mere courtesy, no? In your mind, as in mine, was this love? Was it meant to happen? Anyways, even if the answer is no, a girl can wish, right? And I hope I’m not piling on too many questions all at once. Does this annoy you? Sorry. Am I being silly, or what?Now, back to your letter. I can tell you put a lot in it. Four pages is nothing to sneeze at. But if I put the words together, I mean, the few words that the censor left untouched, there’s less than a sentence worth of stuff, so no wonder that on the whole, it makes little sense. So, instead of trying to respond to something I can’t understand, let me do something else, something that’s a lot more satisfying, at least in my mind. At the risk of dispelling the sense of mystery I’ll tell you all about me, which may help you figure out why you find me so attractive.
At that I cried out, who, me? I find you attractive? Really? 
Lenny in Dancing with Air


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Haunting images and quotes. David brought to life in history's art.

I am thrilled to find a five-star review for my art book, Inspired by Art: Fighting Goliath. The review written by top Amazon reviewer and author Sheila Deeth. In addition to her novel, Divide by Zero, she has written The Five Minute Bible Story Series, and other books. With a Masters in mathematics from Cambridge University, England, she is a a top reviewer for Amazon, Goodreads, Gather and other reading sites. This is what she says:


5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting images and quotes. David brought to life in history's art.BySheila DeethVINE VOICEon March 2, 2017Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase “Hands of a killer… the body a reservoir of energy; he stands poised to strike.” Author Uvi Poznansky hasn’t just collected wonderful images in this picture book of David’s fight with Goliath, but she adds amazing quotes such as this one from Michelangelo. Suddenly the sculpture has more depth, and the reader/viewer is drawn more deeply into the story behind the man.

These images come from a multitude of sources, as varied as a medieval Bible illustration for the letter F, Degas’ David and Goliath—“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see”—and even Salvador Dali—graphically enthralling.

I’ve read the author’s David novels and love them. Art, in these, is truly what the author makes her reader see—a hauntingly real young man, grown old, looking back on the wonder and terror of his youth. The youth who fought Goliath comes to life in the author’s book, and again in these images, collated to tell the story from preparation, to meeting the giant, to fighting the battle with him. It’s a delightful book, and a delightful addition to the series.

Disclosure: I bought it on a deal and I love it!