If / When

if / when is a poetry collection that carefully distills everyday moments of divinity in the city. Using humor and heartache, Diana Arnold crafts her work into a modern meditation on how to hold onto hope, and what comes when we do. As funny as they are moving, and as magical as they are challenging, Diana's poems fill you up while they draw you in. At the center of this debut is a distinct and hopeful voice that invites us to observe and honor ourselves with complete abandon.



"This collection of poetry is evidence for a life unafraid of the full emotional spectrum. Reading if/when feels as if we get to look into a mirror through Diana's own careful gaze. You will be surprised by what you find out about yourself through her own reflection.

-Jane Lecroy, Poet and Professor

"Bold, humorous, and unapologetically romantic."

-Talia Frenkel, Founder of L.

"Diana Arnold's words are a wrestled burst of relentless observation, painfully awkward self-discovery and, in the end, unpreachy wisdom that will stay in your head long after you finish reading."

-Michael Geffner, Founder of The Inspired Word

"The most transformative experience I've had reading poetry!"

-Ludovica Corda, Language Coach



Diana Arnold is a New York City poet and performer. She is committed to creating original and autobiographical work that lifts up her audience, and speaks to the connectedness of all things. She writes from her dream home in Brooklyn where she lives with her partner in everything and she can hardly believe it. You can discover her short film and other work at onthetablenyc.com.