Among the papers of the late John Fredrick Nims was a group of poems selected by the poet from his more than sixty-year career. The Powers of Heaven and Earth presents that choice verse-generous portions from eight superb collections Nims published between 1947 and 1990. In addition, this incomparably rich volume includes thirty new poems published during Nim's last decade. From first to last there is no falling off. Nim's irrepressible joy in his work constantly illuminates the verse collected here, joining together a lifetime of keen observation with speculation on the nature of eternity.