And so I began writing a series of poems, striving to create a work of art that explores the events surrounding Matthew Shepard’s murder in order to gain a better understanding of their impact on myself and the world.
-- Narrator (Introduction)

Importance: In the Introduction of this book of poetry, Newman describes her intent for her work. She was particularly touched by Shepard’s story because she was the keynote speaker at the University of Wyoming’s gay awareness week that had been scheduled the week after Shepard’s attack. She explored through her poetry how Shepard’s death impacted her and how it impacted the rest of the world.

Place heated mix in cab of truck / Wait for things to go sour / It won’t take long
-- Narrator (“Recipe for Disaster”)

Importance: “Recipe for Disaster” is written in the form of a recipe. In the poem, Newman suggests it is because Henderson and McKinney had no...