Long Rules: An Essay in Verse

Long Rules is a book-length poem that explores the intersections of solitude, family, music, and landscape through the eyes of five Trappist monasteries in the southeastern United States. It contemplates the meaning of solitude and its contemporary ramifications in a time of uncertainty and was awarded the Backwaters Prize in Poetry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 76 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Long Rules, a book-length poem in six sections, takes readers on a journey to five Trappist monasteries in the southeastern United States, exploring the intricate intersections of solitude, family, music, and landscape. With its loose and echoing blank verse, the poem delves into the monastic rules, the brilliance of sunlight, the teachings of Saint Basil, the humble turnip, the life of Thomas Merton, the enigmatic saddle-backed caterpillars, the music of John Prine, the complexities of fatherhood, and much more. Through its introspective and expansive verses, Perry invites us to contemplate the essence of our selves and the purpose we serve in the world.

This essay in verse, winner of the prestigious Backwaters Prize in Poetry, offers a profound contemplation on the meaning of solitude and its contemporary implications in a time of uncertainty. It explores the depths of human existence, questioning the boundaries between self and others, and shedding light on the complexities of our relationships and the search for meaning.

Long Rules takes readers on a contemplative journey through the monasteries, immersing them in the peaceful and meditative atmosphere that permeates these sacred spaces. The poem weaves together a tapestry of themes, from the solitary pursuit of spirituality to the complexities of family dynamics and the interplay between music and the natural world.

Through its poetic language and rich imagery, Long Rules invites us to reflect on the importance of solitude, both as a personal journey and as a means of understanding the broader social and cultural context in which we live. It challenges us to explore the boundaries between our individual desires and the responsibilities we hold towards others and the world around us.

In conclusion, Long Rules is a remarkable work of poetry that offers a profound exploration of the human experience. Through its rich and evocative language, it invites us to contemplate the meaning of solitude, family, music, and landscape, and to explore the depths of our own selves and the world around us. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, challenge, and transform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 136g
Dimension: 226 x 203 x 3 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496227980