Whispers Turned Shrill

Diane Imhoff's poetry represents an archeology of meaning, bringing into focus the image of a beautiful, often magical, yet deeply dysfunctional social landscape. Imhoff's collection of poems uses language like a scraper to peel away layers of distortion, obscuring what lies hidden below the surface of social convention---and in so doing reveals a path into meaning.

Diane Imhoff developed her love of poetry reading Sylvia Plath (for whom she has written the poem "Sylvia") and Anne Sexton in particular. She gave up writing poetry during the final years of her life because, in her words, "it all became too dark." That said, Whispers Turned Shrill ultimately represents a beacon of hope that points the reader in the direction of acceptance and wonder. Diane Imhoff's legacy will be her poetic insight as well as her kindness to her fellow travelers journeying together along that path into meaning.

Diane Imhoff began her life chasing sheep with her younger sister and brother in outlying pasture land near Suisun, California, working as faux sheep dogs for her rancher father. Her love of nature matured on that landscape. She developed her love of poetry reading Sylvia Plath (for whom she has written the poem "Sylvia") and Anne Sexton in particular. She gave up writing poetry during the final years of her life because, in her words, "it all became too dark." That said, Whispers Turned Shrill represents a beacon of hope that points the reader in the direction of acceptance and wonder. Diane Imhoff's legacy will be her poetic insight as well as her kindness to her fellow travelers journeying together along the path into meaning.