Invitation to Listen: The Poetry of Plain, Air: The Poetry of Plain, Air

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer, Invitation to Listen: The Poetry of Plain, Air is a book of poetry and a guide for how to listen to the natural world.

In English with Potawatomi translation by Justin Neely, this lyrical, bilingual text invites us to connect with the vibrant world around us: waters coursing through rivers and streams, birds soaring overhead, and crickets calling in our neighborhoods. Kimmerer illustrates a form of attention that engages all of our senses in a practice of listening.

Kimmerer’s poetry “Invitation to Listen” was inspired by a six-movement musical piece, Plain, Air, composed by Tonia Ko. A recording of Plain, Air is accessible online and serves as a companion to the book.  

Invitation to Listen: The Poetry of Plain, Air prompts us to slow down, take notice of our surroundings, and engage with our senses. What could happen, Kimmerer asks, if we listened deeply every day? With pages for notes, this beautifully designed, field guide-sized book can easily travel with the reader, serving as a tool for wonder and attention.