"Robert Herschbach's jumpy, yet persistent vision of the human effort to keep its balance against continual threat was the book which most made me want to embrace this world. With his occasional archaic phrasing, flung despair, bafflement, and snippets of flippancy, this poet assembles an alchemical layering of imagery and thought which forms an intent as solid as a forest or animal. That challenge and energy stays with me."

-- Pamela Stewart, Juror, Ion Books Second National Chapbook Competition