From selfimposed distance ampldquoI stand back from the streetlight at her school gateamprdquo to a distance that cannot be bridged in a single lifetime the poems in Theo Dorganamprsquos extraordinary new collection tell the story of Orpheus the musicianpoet from artistic awakening through to the cost of remaining faithful to his calling.In a book presented in two halves and composed throughout in sapphics ampndash in English one of the most challenging of poetic forms ampndash Dorganamprsquos contemporary Orpheus is partdrifter parttroubadour partlover recognising deeper patterns in his behaviour but always of this place and time. In the bookamprsquos second half the locus shifts farther out into mythic space with a parallel narrative from the Greek world that both mirrors and interweaves with the first halfamprsquos hereandnow.Together they offer a fresh adventurous and unexpected take on a foundational mythic figure.