Poetry. With revolutionary terseness Mary du Passage captures a childhood in the South, a breakdown in Brooklyn, a passion for writing, a love of dogs, a disintegrating marriage, an abortive affair, and a celebration of sexuality. It ends with a black man in the White House 69 years after her birth. Her generosity of spirit shines in every poem. "Mary du Passage's poems are mostly short, tragic, utilitarian ('The poem is the wrench in the hardware store') and, ultimately, life-affirming. 'Everyone around me agreed that it was possible to be happy without ceasing to be sad.'"—John Ashbery