The Purpose of Hands Lyricism and musicality offer the

Lyricism and musicality offer the saving grace of lightness

its leaves and splits its trees: ‘… the botanist said the seeds will sprout

haunted by the woman

she opens “a small attic window for truth

Shadab Zeest Hashmi

The Purpose of Hands Lyricism and musicality offer theThe question of resiliency, of learning how to survive and to not just bounce back from lifes blows but to thrive, is a central concern of Allison Josephs work. In her chapbook The Purpose of Hands she ruminates upon such ontological questions. How can identity form when crippled by selfloathing, self doubt? Yet what is a narrative of the Self but a story in which the obstacles placed before us are broken as we arise? It is striking how self aware she