According to Ilya Kaminsky, this book can be described as a "book of beautiful metaphors for the lovers, both surprising and erotic. It is also a book of songs...And, if this lyric gift wasn't enough all by itself, there are also beautiful city poems--meditations during the 'drum of hours' when 'downtown shops ratchet rippleshut.' And there is a question of faith: anyone who opens it on 'Hopkins' Question' won't leave ungrateful. These are gorgeous, piercing lyrics."