This collection is a triptych of poems that focus on culture, family, and the personal landscape of marriage. Logghe writes of the beauty of northern New Mexico's Espanola Valley and the problems experienced by an outsider upon entering this special place. She has lived in New Mexico for 18 years and spent 15 years writing these poems. Check out "Something like Marriage." Graceful, hopeful, and wonderful.

Joan is a very talented poet whose work is lyrical, fun, real, true! All of her work reads well.

No finite amount of stars could express how much I've gained by reading Logghe's passionate rythmic poetry. She makes each poem divine, yet accessible and wholly intelligible. Logghe is an honest poet who reveals her tenderness and love of the world and family through the most ordinary language. The material aspect of the book is also quite simple and beautiful.

Excerpts from a longer review by Judith Fein in HADASSAH Magazine August/September 2000: The book is sprinkled with Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino, and Yiddish. It is puctuated with love, questioning, humility, bravado, honesty, longing and anger.... At first the words seem tender and nostalgic and clever, but they begin to gain power as the diverse voices proliferate.... Of all the poems in the book, the Converso section elicits the most excitement. "I think this is because the phenomenon works both historically and metaphorically," Logghe says. "I ask,'What in your life have you kept hidden?' We all have hidden aspects of ourselves. The book is a vehicle for opening up dialoge with Jewsand non-Jews so we should find some common ground and hearts." Read the whole two page review and you will know why this book is a treasure to share.

In this diverse and masterly compilation, New Mexican Jewishpoets explore their Judaic identities as set against a backdrop ofarroyos, chili plants, and arid turquoise skies. Many of the poets are relatively recent transplants from elsewhere in the country, while a few have long made their homes in the Land of Enchantment. One of the Spanish-writing contributors is descended from the first Jews to arrive in New Mexico, fleeing persecution from the Spanish Inquisition in 1598. The theme of exile and searching permeates many of the works, with several poems inspired by the painful past-the Holocaust, the Inquisition. Other writers probe the wonder and strangeness of newly embracing their faith in this unlikely land. There are also numerous reflections on ancestors, family and religious holidays-one poem describes casting bread into the Rio Grande on Rosh Hashanah morning. Libraries serving communities with sizeable Jewish populations should consider this anthology a must purchase. Also recommended anywhere where interest is high in Western or Jewish culture, or just fine poetry.

Yet another "worth-it" collection of poems. Check out all of Logghe's gifts in her various books. Each one is a treat; New Mex is lucky to have her produce...

This New Mexico writer expressed her love for New Mexico in this book of Marriage Poems. I enjoyed sitting down with this book and reading the beautiful poems for hours. I recommend this book to poets, and poetry fans everywhere.

If you like Joan's work (or if you haven't gotten around to reading it to find out that you will like it...), this volume is special. Not only does it sing with the usual word-picture-fun-truth, but this book follows a New Mexican woman through her (very real) lifespan. Delicious...

This small poetry book was a pleasurable experience to read. I enjoyed learning about New Mexico, the writer's home, and seeing this beautiful mixture of poetry. I recommend this book to all poetry fans!