In her first collection of poetry, Ghost Lamp, Joyce Kennedy examines life with the central metaphor of a ghost lamp, “that spark of spirit” which stays on in solitude within each of us, defining and absorbing our life experiences.  The poems present an arc of the poet’s life that starts with childhood, then moves from self outward to beloved others and finally, to the broader world of a humanity that longs for justice. These poems show a strong fondness for the power of a word to bring forth feelings.

Praise for Ghost Lamp

Ghost Lamp, the new volume of poetry by Joyce Kennedy, is an extraordinary book. Her fierce poems that seek and demand justice and peace are human cries from an undivided soul. Her love poems, for husband, children, grandchildren, are beautiful in their lyricism and wisdom.  Her love poems for the world, in all its flawed beauty and despair, are exemplary.  In one volume we are given a vision of a remarkable life lived, contemplated, and celebrated.  Any reader who seeks smart and subtle poetic techniques used to delve into subjects worthy of the poet's strong gaze will be glad to own this treasure of a collection
— Deborah Keenan, author of Good Heart (Milkweed Editions, 2003)

What a pleasure Ghost Lamp is!  Joyce Kennedy has such a marvelous voice: beguiling and bracing at the same time. It is a voice that both inspires and challenges.  There are poems here of such great happiness it would make you envious as a reader if you didn't understand Kennedy was really saying: this is your life, too, not just mine: these poems belong to you as much as to me. Whether the subject is happiness or loss, aging or welcoming new children into the family, love for another or love of solitude, Joyce Kennedy's poems in Ghost Lamp are treasures of the heart and spirit.
— Jim Moore, author of Lightning at Dinner (Graywolf Press, 2005)