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Eternal July: Poetry About Nature and The Spirit of the Urban Wild

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"Nature does not recognize our zoning laws. It does not respect the authority of the fence or the permanence of the asphalt."

Eternal July is a moving collection of poems about nature and the resilient spirit of the urban wild. In a landscape often dominated by concrete and glass, these poems reveal the "insurgent life" thriving in the margins - from the dandelion cracking the sidewalk to the fox reclaiming the night.

This is more than just a standard book of poems about nature; it is a guide to seeing the world differently. Blending lyrical verse with the narrative depth of prose poetry, the collection explores the deep, often invisible connections between the human soul and the living earth. These are poems of nature and spirit, asking us to stop looking at the horizon and start looking down - at the hydraulic patience of the roots beneath our feet.

A relatively fresh voice in poetry about the natural world, I invite you to shift our role from the King who takes to the Keeper who protects. The book bridges the gap between art and science, offering a unique take on eco poetry that includes an extensive "Field Guide" appendix. This bonus section illuminates the biology behind the verse, perfect for those who want to understand the science behind the poetry.

Whether you are a lifelong fan of nature poetry or simply seeking a moment of stillness in a noisy world, Eternal July is a testament to the life that always returns.

Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2025

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About the author

David Grayson

207 books13 followers
Pen-name of Ray Stannard Baker


Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name

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Profile Image for Cheryl.
316 reviews
January 19, 2026
This book is a beautiful collection of poems about animals, plants, and features of the weather and how they survive and thrive in the city. I have so many favorite poems in this book, but there were two that stood out on my first read. One is about the movement of a shadow through the city, and at the end, the author reveals the motion is created by a fox. Another focuses on the clouds and how humans respond by opening their umbrellas, which creates a kaleidoscope of color in an otherwise dreary setting.
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