In this collection, filled with linguistic surprises and narrative leaps, Meriam upends the charm, ghazal, pantoum and sonnet to deliver poems of extraordinary originality. The erotic and a passionate connection to the natural world inform Meriam's agile, imaginative poems.

-Robin Becker, author of The Black Bear Inside Me

The quality of freshness is not strained in Mary Meriam's work. Vision, hearing and form interact in these poems to convey a sense of beauty and purpose. It takes a deft touch to kindle a new wick. How far this poet's candle casts its light in a dark world.

-Alfred Corn, author of Unions

The translucent materials of the natural world that frequent Meriam's ontological homes, owl-call her rich wisdom on the nature of life and existence to return to its queenly throne.

-Vi Khi Nao

Possessed of a voice both starkly candid and utterly otherworldly, Mary Meriam inhabits the varied forms of these extraordinary poems as naturally as a tree wears its leaves.

-Mark McDonnell