What do we know of history, and what, if anything, does it have to do with the present? A halt, which is empty is a series of small studies, each focused on an idea, whether Ottawa’s greenspace, the early history of Bytown, contemporary Bank Street construction, the War of 1812, or reflecting the author’s residential move from Chinatown to McLeod Street, an area once known as the Village of Stewarton. In these poems, mclennan thrills with an acrobatic array of syllables, sound, rhythm and meanings collaged into an affect of serious play. This is writing not meant to be easy or safe, but fluid, fluent and fun.