About
Ron A. Kalman was born in Haifa,
Israel, to parents who fled Budapest during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. His
early childhood was characterized by constant movement, with the family
relocating from Haifa to Paris to Boulder, Colorado, before finally settling in
the Boston area. This itinerant upbringing exposed him to a multitude of
cultures, landscapes, and human narratives, providing a rich tapestry of
observations that would later inform his creative output.
After earning his Master of Fine Arts
(MFA) from Emerson College, Kalman long worked as a hospital courier and, later,
as a limo driver. His uncommon professional experiences offered a compelling
perspective on the development of his poetic identity, and – influenced by the likes of Henry Miller, the Beats and Frank O’Hara – ultimately enabled him to
create his unique aesthetic.
His
chapbook Appearance of the Sun, published by Main Street Rag Publishing in
2021, stands as a central work in Kalman's bibliography and as a testament to his artistic vision. His poetry delves into the intricate facets of human
existence with striking clarity and emotional resonance. He is celebrated for
offering a deeply vulnerable yet universally resonant perspective. Critics note
his remarkable willingness to invite readers into a shared space of human
frailty and resilience. His work also finds profound poetic material in
everyday life, whether on the streets of Paris or in a basement laundromat.
Themes of fame and literary figures, as well as travel and the essence of
place, frequently appear, transporting readers to diverse locales and
reflecting on the nature of artistic recognition and influence.
Beyond his strong presence in Boston-area publications
like The Somerville Times and Ibbetson Street, Kalman’s
poetry has achieved significant international reach. He was one of only five
poets selected to represent the United States in Canto Planetario:
Hermandad en la Tierra, a global anthology from Costa Rica featuring
participants from 110 countries. Individual poems of his have been translated into
multiple languages and published in a dozen countries, while the entirety of
his chapbook was translated into Hungarian and published in the literary
journal Librarius. Kalman has also contributed to cross-cultural
literary exchange through his translations of the famous Hungarian poet Attila
József.
Order your copy of Appearance of the Sun today and embark on a poetic journey rich with insight and emotional depth.
