A cycle of eight songs for baritone and piano on poems about love by John Kelly. With each song the focus shifts, but the hunger, passion and remorseless "search" remain painful constants -- idées fixes -- throughout the cycle. John Kelly's poetry captures a gay man's pursuit of love, sex and connection in a big city, while vividly expressing broader themes of universal resonance. Commissioned by The Riverside Opera Ensemble in celebration of David Del Tredici's 70th birthday. Includes vocal texts and composer's note on the song cycle.