Okay, I read the second book first, I'll admit it. But, after all, it's poetry, and that's the beauty of it. It can stand alone, or be compiled into a collection. Whether you decide to read Poems from the Edge of Spring in one sitting, or savor each poem individually, you can't help but become enthralled. But, reading this from start to finish made me appreciate what goes into the production of a poetry anthology. The poems are selected to provide a flow of emotion; love, despair, hope, longing. The illustrations are artistically matched to their subjects. The poems are powerful, and the book is excellently compiled. It's a win-win combination.