“Alas, the pictured girlWas swimming in my tearsShe was a soulmate lostAbout a hundred years”“But I had faithThat butterfly wingsWhen given timeWhip up great things”Some of the best poetry is marinated in the stew of tragedy and time. Distance gives us a useful perspective. Terry Tatum was a child of the 20th century. His poetry is largely inspired by his own memories of this unique and complicated time in America. Nevertheless, this first anthology of short poems is a timeless encapsulation of themes of loss, conflict, cultural reflection and criticism, environmentalism, childhood idealism and restitution. For the present age, these poems are still relevant. For the fortunate reader, this rich and varied collection of short poems is likely to become iconic and unforgettable.