One Red Eye

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In reading these poems, we experience beauty-paradoxically-as well as come to understand the complexity of the crime, its aftermath, and the relief and joy of recovery. Perhaps the first full-length work of its kind, this unexpected book presents an intimate story of violence and survival, rape and rebirth, told in verse. Through concise, candid, and understated poems, Dierking shares the brutal truth of her own rape experience while illustrating the possibility of spiritual recovery from sexual assault. This narrative captures a life brought to a disastrous standstill and the common acts of kindness that help the author recapture hope and move toward a changed yet salvageable future. Tough and articulate, the work defies the silence and guilt often surrounding rape. In one poignant poem, Dierking reflects on her post-rape experience, where she feels a surge of energy enabling her to manipulate objects in her environment, symbolizing her struggle for control and healing. Kirsten Dierking holds a bachelor's degree in International Affairs and History from the University of Colorado and a Master's in Creative Writing from Hamline University. Her writing has appeared in various literary journals, and she resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her husband. This is her first published collection.