A fearless, intelligent and eager woman-mother, lover, wife and daughter-collects for the first time a selection of poetry from her first four decades of living and writing. Unhesitatingly she exposes intimate feelings and heartfelt values about friendship, family, desire, disaster, finding a home and exploring the world. There is disappointment and rebellion here; but also humour and wisdom. There is passion, pain, regret, hope; a desire to love and live to the full. The work feels powered by a desire to find life’s joy, knowing that tomorrow we die; yet there is also a generous understanding that a new generation will take our place, live and love in their turn. Sally Dellow’s deliberate use of simple language provides a counterpoint to her sophistication of structure, delightful and meaningful word-play, and entertaining rhyme. There is a wide range of reference garnered from rich experience of life and travel in many cultures and countries. As a poet, Sally Dellow has a highly intelligent understanding of the right words and concepts to express, and communicate effectively, deep-felt universal experiences in a highly personal way. Among the many striking and strong poems in this collection, ‘Sand’ is one that has the resonance of a modern classic.