The wind in these eloquent, elegant, tensile poems is present as spirit, of course; as spirit it can manifest as the longing or fate of the body (it expires), as intellectual momentum (it inspires), as power for social justice (it aspires). In all these modes, L.R. Berger both controls the energy as form, and honors the charge of the momentóperception by brilliant perception, breath by mortal breath.--Stephen TapscotIn this beautiful new book, words are unusually alive and active in the poet's capable hands. A whispered finale meaning finally, a riff on up, an exploration of the letter p: these are among the linguistic players that address both personal loss and political realities, which L. R. Berger explores with searing honesty, emotional depth, and lyrical grace. No precious word is wasted here; you will read carefully and gratefully, and want to read again.--Martha CollinsPoetry.