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Joe Wilkins' Pastoral, 1994 calls compellingly into the lyric quietness, labor, and rituals of the rural West and its communities, bringing readers close to the earth, to the ditches, to the "flowery stink of alfalfa / hot breath of wheat." Enfolding its reader in a living, breathing landscape, this collection tenderly approaches the lives--of humans, of sheep, of cottonwood, and barn owl--that collide and entangle with each other. With a gentle yet appraising regard for the richly layered concepts of childhood and masculinity, Pastoral, 1994 leans in and listens to the prairie and those living there.
A collection of poems explores the intimate connection between the rural landscape of the American West and the lives it sustains. The poems delve into the quiet labor and rituals of rural communities, drawing readers close to the earth through vivid sensory details of alfalfa fields and wheat. The work tenderly examines the interconnected lives of humans, sheep, cottonwood trees, and barn owls, highlighting their collisions and entanglements. Through a gentle yet appraising lens, the collection also explores layered concepts of childhood and masculinity, listening intently to the prairie and its inhabitants.
This collection is characterized by its deep engagement with the natural world and the human experience within it. The poems are noted for their ability to immerse the reader in a specific landscape, using rich sensory language to evoke the smells and textures of the West. The work is praised for its tender yet discerning examination of themes such as childhood and masculinity, weaving them into the fabric of rural life. The collection's strength lies in its close observation of the interconnectedness of all living things within its setting.
Page Count:
80
Publication Date:
2025-01-28
Publisher:
River River Books
ISBN-13:
9798988137856
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