In these days of anxiety and uncertainty, this book soothes and reassures. After an insightful introduction by Ted Kooser, James Crews brings together poets who encourage connection, harmony, compassion.

It didn’t hurt that the work is by some of my favorite people, including Barbara Crooker, Donald Hall, Jane Kenyon, Dorianne Laux (whose “Mother’s Day” left such an impression on me), W.S. Merwin (how I want to emulate his gift), and Connie Wanek (if you haven’t read her Consider the Lilies: Mrs. God Poems, do so!).

I also discovered new poets (who are not new, but new to me):
Mary Elder Jacobsen. You can’t go wrong with a turtle poem! I, too, am “mesmerized by a moving shell.”
Alison Luterman. Her “I Confess” made me smile after a stressful day.
Danusha Laméris. “Small Kindnesses” was perhaps my favorite of the collection.

So many moments of joy and simple pleasures fill these pages. I’ll be re-reading it often. ( )