The Principle of Rapid Peering

Self-seeding wind is a wind of ever-replenishing breath, and the title of Sylvia Legris' melopoeic collection, The Principle of Rapid Peering, comes from a phrase used by Joseph Grinnell to describe the feeding behavior of certain birds. Legris' poems explore this theme of active observation through a spray of poems that form a kind of almanac or naturalist's notebook in verse. She meticulously observes and documents nature, including moths, birds, plants, and larvae, with an oblique sense of the pandemic marking the seasons.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2024
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Self-seeding wind is a wind of ever-replenishing breath, a force of nature that never ceases to inspire and amaze. It is a wind that carries within it the essence of life, a breath that never stops flowing, a force that never ceases to renew itself. This wind is a symbol of the infinite possibilities that exist in the world, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for something new and beautiful to emerge.

The title of Sylvia Legris' melopoeic collection, "The Principle of Rapid Peering," comes from a phrase the nineteenth-century ornithologist and field biologist Joseph Grinnell used to describe the feeding behavior of certain birds. Grinnell observed that these birds lived in a continuous mode of rapid peering, constantly scanning their surroundings for food. Legris explores this rich theme of active observation through a spray of poems that together form a kind of almanac or naturalist's notebook in verse.

As the poet walks through prairie habitats near her home in Saskatchewan, through lawless chronologies and mellifluous strophes of strobili and solstice, nature converges with words. Moths appear frequently, as do birds and plants and larvae, all meticulously observed and documented with an oblique sense of the pandemic marking the seasons. Elements of weather, ornithology, entomology, and anatomy feed her condensed, inflective lines, making the heart bloom and the intellect dance.

Through her poetry, Legris invites us to slow down and appreciate the world around us. She encourages us to observe the small details that often go unnoticed, to pay attention to the rhythms of nature, and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things. Her work is a testament to the power of words to capture the essence of the natural world and to inspire us to live in harmony with it.

In addition to her poetry, Legris also features drawings by the poet. These drawings are a visual complement to her words, adding another layer of meaning and depth to her work. They depict the beauty and complexity of the natural world, capturing the essence of the self-seeding wind and the many other forces of nature that inspire and amaze us.

Overall, "The Principle of Rapid Peering" is a remarkable collection of poetry that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for something new and beautiful to emerge. Through her words and drawings, Sylvia Legris invites us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the world around us, and to recognize the interconnectedness of all things.

Weight: 98g
Dimension: 196 x 127 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472158864