"The Burning Alphabet confirms and extends Barry Dempster's reputation as one of Canada's most respected poets. Underpinning these poems, as in his previous work, there lies an unswerving dedication to emotional and spiritual honesty. One section, "Sick Days", focuses on that "other place" of chronic illness, while the closing section renders, with great candour and poignancy, the powerful love-hate relationship with an aging father."--Jacket.