In this new collection of poems, leading New Zealand poet C. K. Stead provides a mixed group of work including Catullus poems-Stead's favorite mouthpiece for satire, wit, and sometimes meditation-some stylish concrete poems, poems on major philosophical matters, and some sharp reflections on people, places, and myths. Another unexpected subject concerns Wagner and those close to him. All of these poems are fluent, relaxed, easy to read, engaging, and often have a pointed turn of phrase or uncompromising observation.