Focal Point

By Shuki Gutman

In his new book, Focal Point, Shuky Gutman perfects language into a complex movement of twisting and moving, using free language, circumventing conventions, never expected. It is a curved tongue that creates the most beautiful of all, the tongue of poetic mirrors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shuki Gutman
• Release date: Jul 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005411022

Shuki Gutman

Shuki Gutman was born in 1966 in Kfar Saba, Israel. He is a poet, educator, and lecturer in poetic intelligenceHe studied political science, sociology and anthropology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Has a Master's degree in multidisciplinary teaching from Oranim Academic College of Education.In 1999, Gutman wrote and sang the song, "Doesn't Fit Anyone." The music was composed by Lior Ben Shlush and arranged by Nathan Cohen. The song was broadcast on several radio stations, including the “Voice of Israel”. In 2018 his poem “Krembo Boy” was turned into a song by Itsik Ovadia and his poem “Superfluous” was made into a song by Limor Azaria.Gutman studied poetry at the Helicon Poetry School in Tel Aviv. School in Tel Aviv. He went on to publish four books in Hebrew “Psanter Mushtak Kol” [Muted Piano (Pardes, 2016)], “Mikud Atzmi” [Focal Point (Eshkolot Poetika, 2018)] ], “Kochavim Bayom” [Stars by Day, Iton 77, 2020.] and “Lean Ata Ratz?” [What's the Rush? (Eshkolot Poetika, 2020)]His work has been featured in various literary reviews and newspapers, including “Ha'aretz,” “Ma'ariv” and “Israel Today.” In 2016, his poem “Greetings” was published in an anthology about the war in Syria, edited by “Ha'aretz.”In 2016, Gutman founded the poetry group “Eshkolot Poetica,” which conducts readings and lectures about poetry.

Book preview

Come to me, old love,

My true friendship, and undress.

I’ve had enough of naked flesh,

A downcast face,

A trembling and broken body.

I will be jealous of you until sunrise

In the cold strokes of morning,

I’ll run around with muddy shoes

In the field where the song ‘Shir Hama’alot’* is sown.

Tell me everything:

Crazy tales,

Spaces of endless oblivion

And bestseller memories.

Come to me, old love,

My skin is not very thick.

I will move with you.

They will say: I’ve gone crazy.

Exposed to the pleasures of the spirit,

Chances are the leaves have been plucked,

Regrets that will be recorded in the chronicles of time.

Come to me, old love,

Get undressed and tell.

* Psalm 126

Minister of Self-Confidence

Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished