Malka Heifetz Tussman claims a special place in the world of Yiddish literature. Her poetry-frank and exploring, innovative in language-reveals the richness and complexity of a woman's life. Called "a great poet" by her eminent colleague Abraham Sutzkever, Tussman was the recipient of the prestigious Manger Prize fro Yiddish Letters. With Teeth in the Earth is the first full-length collection in English of her poetry.

Translator Marcia Falk chose the poems in this volume from Tussman's six books and from a last unpublished manuscript. The selection represents Tussman's range of forms and themes, spanning nature and urban life, sensuality and the life of the spirit, childhood and motherhood, work and love. The poems are accompanied by Notes and a Translator's Introduction, which offer another window into the poet's life and art.