Really enjoying this. My introduction to Lerman was with her second publication, "Mystery of Meteors." There was something absolutely stunning and heart-wrenching about every poem in that collection. It was like she'd been starved and was finally eating again, or like she'd emerged from a cocoon. Every piece felt like her life depended on it. 
 What I'm saying is, I will never forget the profound affect on me that "Mystery of Meteors" had, because it was the first exposure I had to her. She writes science, astronomy, ecology, the vastness of the world into her poetry and explores her place amidst all those big things. She easily makes you feel the way she must feel against the backdrop of huge ideas. I'm glad her publishers, Sarabande, tracked her down and encouraged her to publish her work again. I'm glad we can experience the world through Lerman's eyes because she has a singular view of it. It's interesting, it's funny, it's tragic and timeless all at once. 
 This collection is just as stellar as her others. I am not quite through the entire book because poetry shouldn't be bitten off in large chunks; it should be sampled and mused upon and read slowly, relishing each line. Her dog is there--I love the little dog--and Lerman's voice, as strong as ever, still has that sardonic tone, that self-deprecating note that lets you know she's taking it seriously, but not TOO seriously. Some of her musings have given way to other themes previously unexplored in her other collections. There is more about death and other subjects of a more somber nature. As I finish reading, I will remark more upon the themes, and perhaps put up some of my favorite passages as favorite quotes. For now I wanted to say this collection is extremely pleasing.