The Orchard Street Press is pleased to announce the publication of Passages, an exceptional collection of poems by Linda M. Fischer of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

These poems cast a keen and attentive eye to the joy and grief of living, exploring them both with depth and grace. As she does, Fischer asserts the resurgence of life with fresh, vivid language. Nature speaks to her, and, through these poems, it speaks to us as well, telling us of joy and pain, and, ultimately, of peace.

With great delicacy but also depth and a vigilant eye for brightness, the speaker of Passages takes us from snow and death through the passing hours of days and seasons, passage out of great personal grief. Graciously, she allows the reader to become part of this careful, gorgeous watching—how she heals."
-Elaine Terranova, author of Perdido

"Love and devotion are at the core of these poems as she maps out joy, loss and hope with the 'anticipation of her tomorrows as sweet.' Passages is thoughtful and life-affirming. It is a collection that I highly recommend."
-Jonathan K. Rice, former editor/publisher of Iodine Poetry Journal

"Brave, attentive, Linda Fischer's poems catch a dying husband's fluttering words, then enfold a widow's sorrow into bulbs that sprout above cold ground in a 'rhapsody of unfurling greens' and vivid blossoms. This is mature work that faces the inevitable with dignity until a lonely life becomes peaceful."
-Jacqueline Lapidus, co-editor of The Widows' Handbook: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Survival

Linda M. Fischer, a Philadelphia area poet, made her publishing debut in 2001 in Fine Gardening Magazine. Her work has since appeared in many print and online journals, including: The Aurorean, Blue Heron Review:, Hotel Amerika, Ibbetson Street, Iodine Poetry Journal, Mad Poets Review, Muddy River, Nerve Cowboy, Poetry East, Potomac Review, and The Valparaiso Poetry Review. Twice a Pushcart Prize nominee, she won the 2019 Philadelphia Writers' Poetry Contest and was a Finalist in the 2019 Orchard Street Press Poetry Contest.

Passages is available for $12; send check to: The Orchard Street Press: P.O. Box 280, Gates Mills, Ohio 44040; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Orchpress.com phone: 330-264-7733