The Purpose of Hands she opens “a small attic

she opens “a small attic window for truth

Shadab Zeest Hashmi

of opening one’s eyes in a world where every color happens at once

haunted by the woman

and laces our veins with visions of what we

The Purpose of Hands she opens “a small atticThe 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