Poems that approach sisterhood as cross-generational, cross-cultural, and cross-lingual.
Published Nov. 5, 2026
“Avia Tadmor’s Song in Tammuz (Tupelo Press, 2026), winner of the Tupelo Press International Berkshire Prize, approaches sisterhood, faith, and desire with a keen eye for loss and an impassioned hope for the future.
Biblical personas like Ruth and Naomi punctuate the collection in the form of ekphrastics, dictionary-definition poems, and a chorus of the voices of contemporary poets. Lyrical footnotes broach generational silences. Avia and I first met as colleagues in New York University’s Expository Writing Program, and I quickly became acquainted with her poetry through the Office Hours Poetry Workshop. Seven years later, I’m delighted to witness her luminous debut enter the world.” — Sarah M. Sala
