by QUIRK-E, Volume 4, 2009
From the Preface by Wayson Choy
In this fourth volume, these writer-artists share a range of ages and orientations, and a range of their craft and personal daring. However they seem to share a common goal – to recreate in words and images a vision of what is true for themselves, collectively and individually. Their risk taking, the frankness, their reticence or raw energy, the laughter, the memories and tears evoked are real. Each piece strengthens the other. Bravo!
From the Introduction by Marsha Ablowitz
“I imagine my life as a clean sheet of paper. Or maybe a clean diaper. Or better yet a new road map, neatly laid out, including major life events.
Birth, Hebrew school, ballet lessons, tree climbing, Zionist summer camp, strapless grad gown, kibbutz in Israel, university, snotty Jewish sorority to catch a nice Jewish Lawyer or Doctor, join the matrons monthly Hadassah meetings with every hair in place. Then produce two point five brilliant children and set them nicely along their paths.
Well, if that was my road map, it started wrinkling from the very start. I never got the ballet moves right, could never bend over and gracefully touch my toes. And that coral pink strapless grad gown felt so prickly and uncomfortable, I could hardly move in it. I couldn’t sit and listen to Jewish Lawyers, when there were revolutions to fight and mountains to climb, and so many cute girls to kiss.”
Purchase paperback at Wrinkles: Quirk-e Collected Writings Volume 4 (lulu.com)
