Cindy Frenkel's latest poetry collection, titled Bad Neighborhood (Kelsay Books, 2026), delves into her complex feelings about Detroit, a city known for its economic fluctuations and diverse neighborhoods. The title is inspired by an anonymous saying: “When you’re alone in your head/you’re in a bad neighborhood.”

Read More

In her poems, Frenkel reflects on her experiences growing up Jewish in Detroit, while also addressing universal human themes. Through her succinct and impactful verses, she captures the beauty in nature, the joy of encounters with others, as well as the suffering that is often inevitable. For instance, in her opening poem “Serving,” she recalls her childhood in the booming 1960s Detroit, visiting iconic landmarks like the Fisher Building and Hudson's, oblivious to cultural nuances, such as her family's avoidance of ham—“most Jews didn’t eat/ham sandwiches.”

Another poignant poem, “Letters, 1941,” recounts a family story where Uncle Meyer, treasurer at General Motors, could not shield his niece Muriel from discrimination when she marked “Jewish” on her application, ultimately leading to her rejection.

Frenkel also shares vivid memories of her family's past in Europe, including an instance when her paternal grandfather narrowly escaped a pogrom in Ukraine. Other poems detail personal histories, such as the demise of her father's glove manufacturing business, his love for painting, her mother’s compassion, and pivotal moments in Frenkel’s own life, including her wedding and her daughter’s birth.

A recurring theme in the collection is the impact of her brother Tom’s suicide, an event that shapes her reflections throughout the poems. In “In the Classroom,” she candidly discusses suicide as part of her curriculum, urging students to ask direct questions for those struggling with depression. In other pieces, she critiques the romanticization of suicide in poetry, asserting, “I am sick of poems about suicide.”

Through a variety of subjects—from falling in love to the simple enjoyment of nature—Frenkel invites readers into her world. As she writes about moments like watching a neighbor's dog or appreciating the serenity of fly fishing, she presents a range of emotional experiences that resonate deeply.

Cindy Frenkel will read from her collection and share personal stories at Book Beat in Oak Park on Thursday, August 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.