I tend to prefer the older poets quite a bit more than many contemporary ones. But Brinhall is a remarkable exception to my general preferences. She is lyrical, magical, mystifying, honest, brutal, and hopeful all at once. Her poems speak to me of life - life unfiltered in all its pain and anguish as well as it joys, in all its sorrow and struggles as well as its triumphs. I look forward to reading more by this amazing poet but for now all I can say is how amazed I am by this volume and the power of the feelings and emotions she pours into it and evokes from the reader. ( )