A collection of poems so compressed the page itself trembles. So brave, in dark places, the reader clutches the poet's sure hand. Apportioning the Light shines. It shines. "A life lived to its fullest, a craft perfected so that it seems seamless, the highest compliment I can give to any writer. I read it from its beginning to its end without putting it down. Kudos to Cirque for publishing Apportioning the Light." Tom Sexton Sexton's latest poetry collection, Li Bai Rides a Celestial Dolphin Home, will be published in August by the University of Alaska Press."It's a rare and somewhat envious feeling for those of us who work with words: to page through a book of poetry and think, 'I wish I had written that.' But that is my response to many, many poems in Karen Tschannen's Apportioning the Light. Beginning with the stunningly lovely introduction and including gems like 'Street Songs,' 'Each Tommorrow,' 'Unfinished Two-Part Invention,' and 'On the Importance of Detail,' Tschannen never fails to remind us that she is in the service of language. She also has imagination-another rarity. Perhaps what I admire most though is this poet's insistence on joy in the face of grief. Enter her world of music and light and I dare you to come away without feeling uplifted." Anne Coray, author of A Measure's Hush"Deserving of high praise, Karen Tschannen's meticulously crafted collection Apportioning the Light gives us poems that move through a woman's memories, joy, sorrow, loves and wisdom. Also what it is for a writer to grapple with language: all experience mediated somewhere between eye and hand. Tschannen has lived more than 50 years in Alaska; she writes beautifully of The Great Land's light and darkness, the fleeting seasons, the resilience of the natural world. These are poems of introspection, honesty, and hope." Joanne Townsend, Alaska Poet Laureate, 1988-1992 An avid early reader of classic British and North American poetry, Karen Tschannen first tried her hand at contemporary verse when taking University of Alaska classes with Tom Sexton and Nancy McCleary.