These poems are written from across Lev Loseffs life contemplating his native Russia from both a literal & a figurative distance while at the same time casting a sometimes jaundiced eye on the alien culture of America in which he spent the final years of his life. Loseffs poetry excels in complex imagery rich literary allusion & is abundant in formal experiment. Whether absorbed by the world of literature (particularly his fellow poets) or relating real-life experiences Loseff conjures up a restless & frequently disturbing universe in this unusual collection. His poetry is full of intellectual high-wire acts. Every poem is like a circus turn under the big top & without a net. In poetry like this there is nothing either natural or unnatural but only past-mastery." Alexandr Genis"