At the heart of this collection are those themes that interested and inspired Gyula Illyes throughout his life: cultural values, Hungarian history, and the legacy of suppression and survival. While much of Illyes's work resonates politically, the collection is characterized by a startling intimacy, a closeness to nature, and an unbounded love for the underdog. Bruce Berlind's elegant translation captures Illyes's lyricism and imagery, successfully imparting the wisdom that established the poet as "the conscience of his people".

At the heart of this collection are those themes that interested and inspired Gyula Illyes throughout his life: cultural values, and the legacy of suppression and survival. This collection of poems is characterized by a closeness to nature and a love for the underdog.