A Nest in the Heart

<p class=ql-align-justify>In <strong><em>A Nest in the Heart</em></strong> Vivienne Popperl conjures the lives of her ancestors to better understand their stories and their influence on her life. The poems will take the reader on a journey through Johannesburg Europe and the Willamette Valley of Oregon as the poet faces the age-old question: Where do I belong? Influenced by the poetry of Elizabeth Woody she explores how the body's physical landscape intersects and resides within the natural geographical world.</p><p>                                                           </p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>Calling on striking imagery and rich musical devices employing a vibrant flair for a poem's ability to convey whole histories in mere vignettes Vivienne Popperl gives us a moving first collection....<em>A Nest in the Heart</em> is an impressive debut.</p><p class=ql-align-right>-Paulann Petersen Oregon Poet Laureate Emerita</p><p> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>It takes courage to tell the truth of our families grace to make them shine. <em>Poems of love/ stitched/ the blue sky</em> she says of her youth in Johannesburg. Thankfully throughout <em>A Nest in the Heart</em> they still do.</p><p class=ql-align-right>-Claudia F. Saleeby Savage author of <em>Bruising Continents</em></p><p class=ql-align-right> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>In her stunning first collection <em>A Nest in the Heart</em> poet Vivienne Popperl explores the vicissitudes of family with rare lyricism....This fine collection sends shivers up my spine-what beautiful words and what generous sentiments.</p><p class=ql-align-right>-Dale Champlin author of <em>The Barbie Diaries </em>and <em>Callie Comes of Age</em></p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p> </p>