Life Is a Story We Tell Ourselves : Poems, 1992-2012

"When you come to the end of one of Mary Himmelweit's poems, the result is usually either a sharp intake of breath, or a smile. They never fail to surprise, with keen observations, humor, or attitude. In language that is clear and often moving, she nails the absurdities of life-and death. The seeker asks her guru, 'Where is the sense of humor in this world?' She has an eye for unusual scenarios and subjects, as well as the ability to find new ways to describe the usual: the wedding as circus, with groom as ringmaster; bringing a late loved one 'up to date.' These twists and turns make Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves exceptionally interesting to read." -Annette Hollander, poet, author of "Scenes From My Trip" "Laconic and at times deceivingly simple, Mary Himmelweit's poems capture the mind and engage the heart. What counts here, and we find it in poems in any of the sections in which the book is divided, is the inflection of a voice that the reader soon begins to recognize as MH's own. The insights, the brevity, the whimsical tonality of her thinking, or the non-sequiturs, presented as natural as they appear in dreams, and her incisive humor. Himmelweit's poetry finds its power in the heart of weakness. Her poems elicit many different smiles from her readers: the beaming of sheer delight or of surprise, the grin from ear to ear in face of the ridiculous, the sad smile, and above all the knowing smile of recognition when we acknowledge the paradoxical quality of our own humanity." -M. Ana Diz, poet, author of "Long Island Notebook," "Sin Cazadorlos Ciervos," and "Asi Las Cosas"