In these devotional essays, Michael Klein embraces joy–a subject not consciously available to him until, as an act of resistance and self-preservation during a time of political cruelty, he turned towards cherished writers, mentors, lovers past and present, beloved animals, thrilling musicians, memorable stagecraft, and the ragged, often funny edges of an unpredictable life spent by the sea. Michael Klein has spent his life guided by these great mentors in pursuit of the transformative power of art. The book, instead of having the customary Table of Contents, has what the writer calls a Table of Devotions. Here are a few: Thinking Poetry Stephen Sondheim Laura Nyro The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville Four Versions of Night in a Movie William Maxwell Nick Flynn I Know How it Ends: Literary Activism Sunday in the Park with George Nina Simone Kurt Elling David Byrne & His American Utopia Boredom and Artificial Intelligence Lorenz Hart Marie Howe Lynda Barry