"Reading Karl Kirchwey's new book, one comes across the line in a poem entitled "Argos": Every morning in the park of broken statues/a group of dog-watchers gather. It is a seemingly casual observation, but holds modestly within itself many of the elements of these marvelous poems. Here, in this poem and many others, topography is fluid; time blurs under the force majeure of the poet's erudition, and the lucky adventurer is ensorcelled by the passing characters and circumstances that readily succumb to Kirchwey's attentions. Throughout this short collection, the author maintains a languid, generous presence. He is a master of his craft, and a reliable guide through the shadows of Rome and beyond. In Stumbling Blocks , Kirchwey is writing at the peak of his powers, which are considerable." --Daniel Lawless, Founder and Editor of PLUME: A Journal of Contemporary Poetry "The wonderful eloquence of these poems testifies to the traffic between ancient and new. The speaker is a witness, a visitor, a participant in the life of the great city of Rome.

But there is far more. Above all, these are poems of a continuous, crafted subtlety,voicing in each poem the way the fragile present moment not only reveals the past but rescues it. This is a book that will give endless pleasure and illumination to the traveler in every poet, and the poet in every traveler." -Eavan Boland, author of Woman Without a Country.