harmonies & discords

Cristina Umpfenbach-Smyths harmonies unfold as concise crystalline miniatures encapsulating natural states as though a Mary Oliver vision had been distilled for a haiku consciousness. But place her in a vector of discord whether over breast cancer or the inability of others to forgive and she will apply that same distillation to searing examinations of exquisitely-defined moments of fear and sorrow. By offering this yin and yang in a single volume of poetry Umpfenbach-Smyth serves up the ideal balanced diet. Loring Wirbel/Poet/Journalist