Over the years Carlos Reyes has written poems of the highest order and it's a pleasure to see so many of them gathered together in The Book of Shadows. This is a necessary book that clearly shows the author's deep humanity and his sophisticated skill; like all first-rate work it returns our lives to us. In poem after poem readers are given those quick shocks of recognition which make them say, Yes, this is the way it is! Such an important contribution to our literature deserves to be recognized and honored by everyone who cares about the art of poetry.--Vern Rutsala