Under the Broom Tree
Under the Broom Tree by Natalie Homer is a debut poetry collection published by Autumn House Press in 2021. This 76-page work delves into the wilderness within us, seeking rest and divine providence through the lens of a biblical narrative. Inspired by the story of the prophet Elijah, who finds shelter under a broom tree, the collection reflects on themes of hope and renewal amidst personal and natural landscapes.
Readers will encounter a journey through the emotional and physical wilderness, as Homer intertwines elements of longing, home, and self-worth with the rich imagery of the American West and the Rust Belt. The broom tree serves as a central symbol, representing both shelter and connection, inviting exploration of the delicate spaces between despair and light. Through her poetry, Homer crafts a narrative that encourages reflection on the intersections of nature and the human experience.
Official synopsis Publisher
Natalie Homer’s debut poetry collection explores the wilderness in all of us to find rest and divine providence.
In the story of the prophet Elijah, he must flee his home, and, after an arduous journey, he arrives under a broom tree, where he prays for his own death. But in his sleep, he is touched by an angel who provides food and water. In this moment, the broom tree becomes a symbol of shelter in a barren landscape, a portent of hope and renewal. Drawing inspiration from this tale, Natalie Homer’s Under the Broom Tree is a trek through the wildernesses of the heart and of the natural world.
Exploring the idea of divine providence, Homer finds seams of light opening between forlorn moments and locates, ‘Something to run a finger through, / something to shine in the ocher light.’ Within these narrow spaces, Homer explores themes of longing, home, family, and self-worth amidst the wondrous backdrop of the American West and the Rust Belt, while integrating a rich mythology of narrative, image, and association. The broom tree, offering the capacity for shade and respite, becomes a source of connection and an inspiration for the collection. It is an invitation to sink deep into the earth and self and feel the roots entwine.
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