My selection of the twelve stories in this compilation was not based upon any preconceived notions. I was drawn to them because they were powerful, realistic and moving. The metaphorical usage in his writings coupled with the psychoanalysis of characters and situations is, in my opinion, phenomenal. I was fascinated by "Mother Earth is Sad," "Traces of a new life," "The Resident has Departed," "The Deity" and all the others. In "Some Distance Away", he has told us of the struggle of Turtles to survive and overcome hurdles threatening their existence. In my opinion, he is actually talking about the turmoil of humanity. ~Mujahid Eshai