Howard Giskin has spent a lifetime as a student of literature, philosophy, culture, and the arts—a solid foundation upon which to build structures in words. After teaching literature for 25 years, Howard retired in 2014 and is enjoying more creative activities. This is Howard’s second literary collection; Murmurings, a collection of poetry, was published through FriesenPress in 2017. Other publishing experience includes associate editor, The Phoenix Rising from the Ashes (FriesenPress, 2013); co-editor, An Introduction to Chinese Culture Through the Family (SUNY Press, 2001); and editor, Chinese Folktales (NTC Publishing Group, 1997). The author lives in the Philippines with his wife, Vicki, where he writes poetry and short fiction.