In Within and Without--as in his previous collections of poems, Progression and JAD--Hansen explores the themes of nature, philosophy, and romance but more deeply and more passionately. In the first part of the book, he blends philosophical insights with his love of nature and raises thought-provoking questions connecting the two. In the second part, he expresses his love for his soul mate, Kristen, in poems that are passionate and picturesque. In both parts, he uses his natural surroundings to gain insight into his inner landscape and vice versa.