Artwork: Anselm Kiefer, *Women of Antiquity,* Château La Coste, Aix-en-Provence, 2023

Anselm Kiefer’s current exhibition at Château La Coste in Aix-en-Provence (June-September 2023), features a number of sculptures from his ongoing Women of Antiquity (1999—) series, inspired by specific historical and mythical female figures who intellectually and creatively challenged the boundaries of their times.

One sculpture resonated, the weight of a book upon one figure’s shoulders, like wings that could give flight, but heftier, keeping her grounded. And here’s the poem I wrote about it:

and the book

weighs heavy

the knowing

too immense

to carry

indefinitely

although

she’ll try