A collection of poems drawn from across Lowry's life, published after his death. Though best known as a novelist, he wrote poetry throughout his career, and these pieces reflect his preoccupations: the sea, drink, loneliness, music, the Mexican and Canadian landscapes, and the lives of ordinary people. The verse ranges from playful and conversational to dark and lyrical, often with a ballad-like rhythm. It shows a more informal side of the author and sheds light on the imagery that runs through his fiction.