From a reader's perspective, the companion piece to Monette's memoir "Borrowed Time"--this volume won't make much sense unless you've read the memoir. In it, Monette mentions writing poems to keep his sanity, or at least to do something, while his lover dies. These are the poems. Don't think they're depressing, however; mixed in with the mourning are many beautiful and perfectly evoked memories of celebration, travel, and daily life together.