"The goal of Hamill's poetry is a transparency of word and continuum, of subject and setting forth, an immediacy and clarity of line like that of fine calligraphy or of classical Zen brush painting. His poetry has only now begun to be accorded the attention it deserves."—W. S. Merwin <br>"No one—I mean no one ever—has done the momentous work of presenting poetry better than Sam Hamill. His editing and publishing, his criticism and translations, his own very strong and beautiful poems have been making a difference in American culture for many years. What a wealth of accomplishment! This book, this selection of his poems and translations is no less than essential."—Hayden Carruth <br>"Sam Hamill is one of the most disturbing poets of our time. In Almost Paradise he finds his voice both in his own strong work and his intensely powerful translations. I've followed Hamill's work closely now for a couple of decades and my admiration continu