"In this striking memoir-part poetry, part narrative-Ruth
Ticktin plumbs the geography of a childhood spent in the Midwest
and her consequent trajectory to the Northeast, all the while giving
a human face to key points and developments in U.S. history. In such
pieces as 'Lines from Letters' and 'From Those Who Came Before
Us, ' she maps what it meant then and what it means now to be female
and to stand for what is just. Ticktin brings to the page not only her
skills as a poet but her unique background as a long-time ESL teacher.
Her deft use of word play and rhythm stand out."
-Naomi Ayala, author of three books of poetry with contributions
in numerous anthologies; is an education consultant, translator, and
teacher in Washington DC