"In a world where we count deaths in headlines--from violence, fever, war--you have found your way to this book of birth stories--spells of beginning, woman power beyond any man's heroics, the long wait, severe endurance, and the first clean breath. Gleaned from the poet's own journey, from stories offered by all directions, from paintings, from ancient lore, the tiny percussion of the fetal heart, and the moon's persistent hints, these poems will enchant, frighten, and deepen you. Reading, you will be born again and again by the oldest drama we know. Turn from the brittle news and behold our deeper psalms." --Kim Stafford, Poet Laureate of Oregon, author of Singer Come from Afar "Emily Wall has captured the joy, terror, love, and all the messy mystery of childbirth, as well as those first daunting moments of parenthood. I love these poems not just because they are true, but because they are real."--Heather Lende, author of If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name "[Wall's poems are] developed from the stories of new mothers, experienced mothers, grandmothers, lesbian mothers, a foster mother, doctors, a woman who miscarried, a woman unable to conceive who found other ways of mothering, biblical mothers, and even a woman in a painting. They capture the range of emotions -- from fear, pain and heartbreak to hope, gratitude and tremendous joy.

" --Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News.