The collection is divided into five chapters. There is a roughly-chronological progression to the collection, but chronology isn't strictly followed in favor of supporting each chapter's theme. (Though the themes are informed by what was going on in the poet's life during various points.) The first chapter presents poems written between 1935 and 1939 (age 18 to 22). The second picks up in 1939 and while it ends on a poem from 1953, mostly covers a period to 1941. Chapter three includes selections from 1940 to 1953 (ages 23 to 36). The penultimate chapter includes poems from 1954 and 1955. The last chapter is stretched out from 1955 to 1991 with much less temporal density to the poems than is seen in earlier chapters.
But it's Stevens' engagement with this poetry that brings so much more to this collection. Her photographs are warm pictorial essays on the themes of the poetry. There are essays interspersed reflecting some commentary on those themes.
All together, this is a beautiful collection -- not only of poetry, but of all the artistic reflections upon life in poetry.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.