These poems mine the rich history and broad influence of Islam in Spain and beyond, and illuminate connections between places as diverse and far-flung as Puerto Rican villages, the bustling streets of New York, and the sun-drenched beaches of Morocco.

A finalist for the Lenore Marshall and Griffin poetry prizes, Victor Hernández Cruz is the author of several collections of poetry including Maraca and The Mountain in the Sea. Born in Puerto Rico, Cruz now divides his time between Morocco, Puerto Rico, and the United States.