In simple, spare language the poetry in this volume examines common objects like ice, glass, stones, moss, and similar inanimate things as if they were some kind of mystery. These poems are the detective's magnifying glass to examine the profound connection to the natural world and its disruption by war and loss.

Here are twenty classroom-tested exercises that really work, written and used by some of America's best teachers and writers of poetry. Meant for the student and teacher alike, Mapping the Line is also meant for those who have never been in a poetry writing class but have, perhaps, been writing on their own or have been wanting to. This collection is a good place to begin, and to continue.