A lifetime of verse is gathered, revealing the intricate weave of the ordinary and the extraordinary. Arvind Krishna Mehrotra's collected poems, spanning four decades and thirty-four new works, offer a comprehensive look at the output of a major voice in Indian English poetry. His work is characterized by a unique fusion of the mundane and the fantastical, where small details of daily existence, both past and present, illuminate grander designs. A significant portion of the collection is dedicated to Mehrotra's celebrated translations from various Indian languages, providing a sweeping narrative of Indian poetry across two millennia.

This collection is recognized as the first comprehensive gathering of Arvind Krishna Mehrotra's work, solidifying his status as one of India's most influential English-language poets. The poetry is noted for its distinctive style, which masterfully combines the everyday with the surreal, and the personal with the mythical. The inclusion of his significant translations from various Indian languages is a key feature, offering a broad perspective on the history of Indian poetry. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the landscape of contemporary Indian literature.