Touching the Bones was the first collection of poems by Tom French. I have had it on my shelf unread for a number of years but in my hurry to declutter and sell my home, I am selecting a few books to come with me. This book will be one of the keepers. The poems That stood out for me are the ones that describe family and relationships, especially Mending a Puncture and Striking Distance, two of the poems about his father.