No Witnesses: Meditations on Survival and Loss

In No Witnesses, poet Margaret Kogan captures the haunting intersection of human despair and the indifferent, enduring beauty of the natural world. Written from the Rivertowns along the Hudson River, the collection lives in the shadow of the old Tappan Zee Bridge-a structure that long served as a tragic magnet for those seeking to end their lives. With profound empathy, Kogan dedicates this work to the souls who could not cross it.With sharp, unflinching observation, Kogan explores the stark contrast between the quiet instincts of animals and the restless, destructive craving of humanity. She guides readers through parallel universes: the "peaceable kingdom" of creatures living their brief, unquestioning lives, and the heavy, regret-filled existence of humans walking on two legs. From the tragic slick of roadkill to the silent, tidal pull of the river, Kogan's verse is a testament to the unseen forces that rule us. No Witnesses is a deeply compassionate and grounded meditation on survival, loss, and the silent watchers that surround us in our darkest moments.