A poet's career is mapped through a selection of his work spanning three decades. David Lloyd's poetry, as evidenced in this collection from 1979 to 2009, is characterized by a 'constellated elegance.' He draws upon the European dialectical lyric for thematic resonance and American objectivism for its precise prosody. The poems explore a lyric 'I' that shifts and reappears, engaging with conventions while offering alternative possibilities.

The work of David Lloyd is noted for its intellectual depth and sensuous language. Critics have observed a 'constellated elegance' in his poetic writing, which draws on both European dialectical lyric and American objectivism. His poetry is praised for its linguistic scrupulousness and its ability to toy with conventions, suggesting them before dissolving them into new possibilities. The collection showcases the evolution of his distinctive voice over a thirty-year period.