House of Affection is a book of lyrics and prose poems on love, on the approaching death and afterdeath of a loved husband and on the birth of his child. What's new? you might ask. What's new is the beauty of Wendy Wood's poetry, the richness of life that is in her work and precision of her language and observation. Death, love, birth and motherhood open her to the intense spirituality of her marvelous, everyday experience. Her poetry in its many modes consoles us with a unique grace; her artistry does not sadden us but lifts our spirits.