'Contemplative Abstracts' is the logical sequel to 'Abstacts' (1983) which, being readerly, or capable of being read, was non-contemplative and therefore a precondition of abstract poems that require only to be contemplated, since effectively being a species of word art or, rather, sculpture. The five books in this project represent different stages in John O'Loughlin's development of a non-readerly, or contemplative, style of poetic composition.