This poetry collection was first published in 1987 when Jan Cole lived and worked in San Francisco, but the poems were written over the course of many years, beginning with her time in university at the Newcomb College of Tulane University and at the Sorbonne. Many of the poems are set in the town of Huntsville, Texas, where Jan was raised and lives today. Still others reference friends Jan has known and worked with around the world. This edition includes the striking art of Mexican artist, Adelina Moya and Chinese translations by Angela Liu. Finally, the project would never have taken place if not for the editorial oversight of Lorrie Lo Wagamon.

Here is what people are saying about this unique collection:

These poems are about life, love, friendship, and masks. The rhythmic lines carry quick movements of life . . . They are witty and thought-provoking, funny, agonizing with suggestions of human struggles, and [they are] freshly imagistic . . .

薛西法假面潛行」是本有關生命，友誼與面具的詩集。韻律十足的詩句帶動了生命與思 想的快節奏。它們機智且引人深思，有趣，有暗示人類掙扎的痛苦，也有將憂鬱與蛋重疊 的鮮活意象。大部分的詩都很短，但它們令人有瞬間領悟的時刻。

—Dr. Jianqing Zheng (鄭建青英美文學博士)

These poems have given me greater insight into this remarkably talented woman whose low, soft voice and extreme modesty belie an active and passionate inner voice—one which can express universal truths while telling her personal story.

這些詩也助我更深入的領會到， 這個有著非凡天賦的女人，其實在她輕柔，低沉，且極 端謙虛的言語之下，還有一道激情活躍的聲響—在敘述自身故事的同時，還能表達普 世真理的一道聲音。

—Dr. Ralph Pease (洛夫．皮士英美文學博士)