Book excerpt: This book of nature poetry and practices shows us just how easy and enjoyable it can be to tap into the power of nature to calm frazzled minds and lift weary spirits, even in the midst of a city. Author Kai Siedenburg points to two basic keys: finding small but satisfying ways to connect with the Earth in daily life, and making the most of our precious time in wild places. Her insightful and delightful book, Poems of Earth and Spirit: 70 Poems and 40 Practices to Deepen Your Connection with Nature, helps us do both. Through intimate original poems, we experience loving encounters with trees, the gratitude of thirsty plants quenched by rain, and cross-cultural communication with chickadees. We feel what it is like to walk on padded paws, to take wing, to root ourselves in the earth. And through carefully crafted practices, we learn how to cultivate a direct and nourishing connection with nature that will support and sustain us wherever we go. In this high-stress, high-tech world in which so many of us hunger for more authentic connection, Poems of Earth and Spirit illuminates a direct and scenic path to greater joy, meaning, and belonging. This is a book that keeps on giving-and not just to its readers. A portion of the sales raises funds in aid of TreeSisters, a grassroots network that plants over a million trees a year in the tropics. Advance praise for Poems of Earth and Spirit "Beautiful, heart-felt poems for connecting with the Earth." -Joseph Bharat Cornell, author of Sharing Nature and Deep Nature Play "Brimming with insight and imagination... To spend time with this collection is like sitting by a pure mountain stream; we are filled with peace, wonder, and delight. These inspiring poems and simple practices will help you deepen your connection with nature wherever you are." -Mary Reynolds Thompson, author of Embrace Your Inner Wild and Reclaiming the Wild Soul. "What I want from poetry is what Kai gives me, to see anew and to feel deeply, to be reminded of who I am." -Patrice Vecchione, author of Step into Nature: Nurturing Imagination & Spirit in Everyday Life. More info: PoemsofEarthandSpirit.com