While Juanita Ponce-Montoya is the author of only one book of poetry so far, it is strikingly unified in theme. To a large extent it is based on traumatic personal experiences, and it illustrates a difficult triumph over feelings of loss and despair.

Ponce-Montoya was born in 1949 in Raton, New Mexico, as one of five children. After completing high school, at age twenty-one she married Juan Lorenzo Montoya, a pipe fitter. In 1971 her daughter, Anita, died when only five weeks old, because of oxygen deprivation; it was the first death to mark Ponce-Montoya's personal life. The birth of her son Juan in January 1972 proved a source of joy and vitality to her. For seven years she worked in the U.S. Air Force, in the areas of research and development and procurement of special weapons. Her hardworking, independent attitude toward life characterizes Ponce-Montoya's existence. It served her well...