This book is made up of short poems with themes reminiscent of the verse histories Sanders has been working on in recent years. Its sketches, scherzi, and anecdotal meditations may act as a good introduction to the longer works. Sander's ability to confront absurdity and/or monstrosity with humor and economy have an elan in these miniatures which lesser poets would find difficult to handle.

The book provided me with some interesting ideas to play with as designer. I associated the title with dawn in Dostoievsky's exile in Siberia, an historical situation around which others orbit in the book. For the cover ground, I borrowed a pattern I had created to suggest underbrush in one of my Clouds Over Fortjade workings. The blue ink I specified should carry ambiguities as to whether it's washed out or delicate. It should also have a sweet quality in conjunction with the orange second color on the cover. I wanted the colors of the cover to suggest hope and the surprise of such beauties as sunrise, whether in happy or in utterly miserable circumstances.

Sanders provided me with a drawing of Dostoievsky in a circular mirror with a base. I repeated circles in various places throughout the book to unify its wandering subject matter. On the first side of the last leaf, a photo of Sanders appears in the circle. On the other side, the circle is empty. This could bring in Buddhist overtones as well as tying Sanders to Dostoievsky and his group of friends who could be called "a circle." The circle on the front may also suggest a pale sun in a cold land, or the recurrence of themes of wealth and want, power and persecution, ideals and sell-outs, wonder and indifference.

Although the book was meant primarily to promote a reading and a reading series, it seemed to have a stronger significance for Sanders than i would have expected. During several years after i did the book, he sent me notes of appreciation, in one going so far as to say that he got a rush out of the book every time he looked at it even after the passage of time. This is extremely rare and hence particularly welcome for book designers.