Concerned with giving voice to Cape Verdean life, Fortes writes in Cape
Verdean Creole - and not just standard Portuguese - a powerful statement
reinforcing the islands' distinctive African nature. However, his poems
are often written from the perspective of an exile - and themes of exile
and redemptive return recur in his work. This collection introduces
English readers to Fortes, and the poet's beautiful and unique use of
language.