Winter Bird (Pavilion Poetry)

Bird of Winter, the debut collection by Alice Hiller, has been shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection 2021 and the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize 2022. The work has also received a PBS Special Commendation in the Summer of 2021.

Hiller's debut performs an act of witness and restitution, working with her childhood and adolescent medical notes to create a redemptive language that speaks to the darkness of being sexually abused by a family member. Through the excavated histories of Pompeii and Herculaneum, these poems additionally document the grooming process that prepares a child for sexual abuse, as well as the vulnerability that remains afterwards.

By calling up the landscapes and relationships that sustained her, as well as the injury she experienced, Hiller reflects the nature and impact of a crime to which millions around the world are subjected. The collection asks how we may find our ways towards healing.

The poems in Bird of Winter draw upon the author's personal experiences, using the historical narratives of Pompeii and Herculaneum as a framework to explore the grooming and abuse that she endured as a child. The excavation of these ancient sites serves as a metaphor for the excavation of Hiller's own traumatic past, allowing her to bear witness to the crime committed against her and work towards a redemptive language.

Through this poetic exploration, Hiller shines a light on the broader issue of child sexual abuse, a crime that affects millions globally. By reflecting on her own journey, she invites the reader to consider the paths to healing and recovery for survivors of such trauma.

The collection has been widely recognized for its powerful and important subject matter, with the shortlistings and special commendation underscoring the critical acclaim it has received. Hiller's debut stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, using the medium of poetry to confront the darkness of her experiences and to ultimately find a way towards light and healing.

product information: