Poets and Friends: Rose and Rosenberg Read at PUC

Pacific Union College’s department of English hosted a poetry reading on the evening of November 17 featuring adjunct English professor Judith Rose and her friend, Israeli poet and translator Betsy Rosenberg. The poets are accomplished writers as well as longtime friends, and in their presentation spoke about their shared childhood experiences and current creative collaboration to a full auditorium in McKibben Hall.

After an introduction to the poets by Cynthia Westerbeck, chair of the department of English, Rose and Rosenberg alternated reading. Both have recently published books of poetry: Rose published Walking the Minefield in 2012 with Finishing Line Press, and Rosenberg’s A Future More Vivid with Sheep Meadow press this month. “It’s so wonderful to be able to look back on such a long time … and to share the perspectives of over a half century of friendship,” Rosenberg said of her friendship with Rose. As they read, they explored similar themes in their poetry, including descriptions of the Midwest (where they first met), animals, the passing of siblings, and the tensions of war and peace.

To read more about Rose and Rosenberg’s longtime friendship and poetry, read the profile in the St. Helena Star.