RIT Professor Releases Poetry Collection

FootHills Publishing has selected Via del Paradiso, a poetry collection by Rochester Institute of Technology English professor Anne Coon as the inaugural book in their Away series.

Inspired by her time living in Siena, Italy, the poems chronicle Coon’s experiences living alone, learning a new language and navigating through a foreign city.

“It mixes memory, day-to-day observations and dreams with the tension of finding a new means of expression,” says Coon. “I hope that the book will envoke the sights and sounds of living in the ancient walled city of Siena, but more importantly, I hope it will say something about what it means to be an outsider, an observer, struggling toward some understanding and finding a new identity.”

Collaborating with Coon to combine images with her words is painter Kurt Feuerherm, whose artwork can be found on the cover of Via del Paradiso. They have also worked together to produce Henry James Sat Here, another limited edition illustrated book, recently published by The Old School Press.

Those interested in purchasing Via del Paradiso can find it at RIT’s Campus Connections and other local bookstores. Coon will also be reading her poetry Oct. 18 at Talking Leaves…Books, in Buffalo, Oct. 21 at St. John Fisher College as part of the Rochester Ink Poetry Festival, Oct. 26 at the Central Library of Rochester, and Nov. 6 at Wells College.

For more information about upcoming readings, contact Anne Coon at 475-2410.