Lichen-dressed stones stand upright, gathered in circles, aligned along invisible points, their tonnage defying gravity, defying what can't be moved over long or short distances, having spent millennia measuring and predicting the coming and going of years, the momentous return of the sun and planets-all of this carried in the words and images of the book Solstice. Kathleen Cain touches deeply the primal sources of our lives and in a spirit of generosity, shares what she has discovered of this revolving mystery.

In the end she finds, "Only the in and out of breath exists." (from the poem "Orchids"), and no matter how much we try to embellish the outcomes, "...all that matters is the stillness of being and belonging." (from the poem "From Ovid"). With these poems, Cain implores us to join in the journey work of the stars.

-Walter Bargen, First Poet Laureate of Missouri

Kathleen Cain's poetry is a balm for this time of isolation and upheaval. She reminds us to bravely live in truth, embrace both beauty and pain, and acknowledge at once the power of life and the anticipation of death. Thank you, Kathleen, for helping us stay sane.

-Elaine Lawless, Professor Emerita UMC

Cain's poetry is sometimes stately, sometimes playful, and at other times raw and bold, yet each piece evokes a certain darkness with an outline of light, creating musical melodies with beautiful harmonies that sing of the human condition and emotion.

-Yolanda Ciolli, Publisher