Stretches contains not only the depth but also the uncommon variety his readers have come to expect of him. Tender and witty love poems coexist with brief narratives and satirical sketches. Lyrical responses to nature interact with spiritual responses to the material world. These poems, diverse in subject and tone, represent the accomplishment of a life's dedication to a poet's art and craft. Skinner's language is accessible but crackles with apt surprise. The collection stretches, and it invites the reader to stretch with it.
