For the Shrew

This collection of poems explores nature's beauty and our connection to it, highlighting themes of life, death, and the passage of time in For the Shrew.

In For the Shrew, the author invites readers to engage deeply with the natural world, urging us to experience it through all our senses. From the delicate movement of a bee to the stillness of a swamp and the harsh beauty of the icy north, the poems encourage contemplation of our place within this vast ecosystem. Each piece serves as a reminder that nature is not just a backdrop but a living entity that connects us all.

The concise yet evocative verses in For the Shrew illuminate moments in nature while also capturing the essence of time itself. Through imagery of a snow-covered bud, a clod of earth, and the warmth of an animal's fur, the poems portray a continuous cycle of life and death. The interplay of light and shadow, influenced by the author's background in photography, adds depth to the exploration of these themes. The act of listening is equally emphasized, as the poet urges us to tune into the subtle sounds of nature, like the harmonious song of a log and a bark beetle.

The author, who came of age during the transformative period of perestroika, later moved to Germany and earned her doctorate in the U.S. Her work reflects the influence of Paul Celan, whose poetry she has translated into Russian. This rich background informs the layers of meaning within For the Shrew, making it not only a collection of poems but a profound meditation on existence and our interconnectedness with the world around us.