Here, in Elizabeth Macklin's second collection, an only child's responses to the fait accompli of childhood--decisions already made, accidents of history and family, patterns preset--come to the adult mind in the presence of change and grief. The mind regroups as it can: later light on the hills of houses / before us / just as they are, as versus none.

[P]oems of abrupt perception and rigorous lyricism.--New York Times Book Review I love Elizabeth Macklin's poems.--Thomas Lux The joy and intelligence in these poems is simply tremendous.--Tomaz Salamun, author of The Four Questions of Melancholy Mastery as well as mystery, and we are grateful for what we've just been told.--Richard Howard Macklin the Magician does it again!....dazzling evocations.--Marie Ponsot, author of The Bird Catcher [A]n exceedingly wise book--and joyful, too, though the joy is never glib or easy-won...--Bill McKibben Elizabeth Macklin talks to me, woman to woman, poet to poet. In listening to her, I am rewarded.--Nina Cassian