The Beheaded Poetess is a book about the life of the T'ang Dynasty Nun and Poetess, Yu Xuanji. Two books in one: history and poetry. The work of Genevieve Wimsatt in her 1937 book: Selling Wilted Peonies is revised into Concrete Poetry throughout the book, with acknowledgements below each section and poem. Intermingled with the original translations of Yu Xuanji, with a modern day Poet Laureate Editing it, and including her own versions, homages to, and inspired by poems. She has combined her love of history with poetry to come up with a First Edition, winning combination. This book began as only an Homage to book, and somehow evolved into an accurate historical write, with many interesting facts worked in throughout the book. Included are a few illustrations. Truly a work of love by Jean Elizabeth Ward.