Late Migrations: a Natural History of Love and Loss by Margaret Renkl

Margaret Renkl is one of the most keenly observational nature writers I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Her NY Time’s columns, essays and her book “Late Migrations: a Natural History of Love and Loss” testify to her ability to capture the tiniest parts of our world and succinctly reflect the whole. This tender work tells her story of growing up in rural Alabama and later caregiving for her parents and in-laws while weaving in the mini-dramas of life in her Nashville backyard.

Together, we are reminded of the necessity of decay and loss within the cycle of life. We are asked to look for the splendor and resilience within things we usually shy away from. We remember that we are just one creature, among many, living side-by-side on this slowly turning rock, all bearing life and death as part of our cycle.

For a beautiful collection of micro-memoirs and essays on nature, check out “Late Migrations”. Let me know what you think if you read it.