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title

Death Tractates

Brenda Hillman

Publication Year: 1992

From the depths of sorrow following the sudden death of her closest female mentor, Brenda Hillman asks anguished questions in this book of poems about separation, spiritual transcendence, and the difference between life and death. Both personal and philosophical, her work can be read as a spirit-guide for those mourning the loss of a loved one and as a series of fundamental ponderings on the inevitability of death and separation. At first refusing to let go, desperate to feel the presence of her friend, the poet seeks solace in a belief in the spirit world. But life, not death, becomes the issue when she begins to see physical existence as "an interruption" that preoccupies us with shapes and borders. "Shape makes life too small," she realizes. Comfort at last comes in the idea of "reverse seeing": that even if she cannot see forward into the spirit world, her friend can see "backward into this world" and be with her.

Death Tractates is the companion volume to a philosophical poetic work entitles Bright Existence, which Hillman was in the midst of writing when her friend died. Published by Wesleyan University Press in 1993, it shares many of the same Gnostic themes and sources.

Published by: Wesleyan University Press

Cover

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Contents

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A Note about the Book

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pp. vii-

Calling Her

First Tractate

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pp. 3-6

Much Hurrying

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pp. 7-

Secret Knowledge

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pp. 8-

Holding Her

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pp. 9-

Near Jenner

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pp. 10-

Visiting Creature

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pp. 11-

Seated Bride

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pp. 12-

The Panel

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pp. 13-

Writing Her

Yellow Tractate

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pp. 17-19

Reverse Seeing

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pp. 20-

Possible Companion

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pp. 21-

A Dwelling

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pp. 22-

(untitled poem)

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pp. 25-

Losing Her

Split Tractate

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pp. 29-32

Random Order

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pp. 33-

An Entity

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pp. 34-

Winged One

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pp. 35-

Finding Her

Sideways Tractate

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pp. 39-41

Keeping Watch

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pp. 42-

Divine Laughter

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pp. 43-

The Guides

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pp. 44-

Subtle Body

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pp. 45-

Finding Her

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pp. 46-

Black Rose

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pp. 47-

Quartz Tractate

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pp. 48-49


E-ISBN-13: 9780819572035
Print-ISBN-13: 9780819521996

Page Count: 59
Publication Year: 1992

Series Title: Wesleyan Poetry Series

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