Crossing Paths: A Poetic Journey in 45 Days - The Crossing Ground Poetry Series, #1

The wild is speaking. Are you listening?

Step into the quiet places where nature reveals its stories—through curious bears, elusive mountain lions, and even the unexpected charm of flirtatious porcupines.

In Crossing Paths: A Poetic Journey in 45 Days, ecologist, science writer, and poet Rick Van de Poll invites readers into an intimate encounter with the natural world. Drawing from a lifetime devoted to studying and protecting the environment, Rick shares the daily moments of wonder that arise when we slow down and truly observe the living world around us.

For forty-five consecutive days, Rick wrote one poem each day inspired by his encounters with wildlife and the ecosystems they inhabit. The result is a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated collection that captures the rhythms, mysteries, and quiet wisdom of nature.

Each poem becomes a small window into the wild—reminding us that every creature, every forest path, and every shifting season has something to teach us.

Inside Crossing Paths, you'll discover:

• Encounters with the remarkable diversity of wildlife
• A refreshing and accessible approach to nature poetry
• Reflections that inspire curiosity, exploration, and wonder
• A deeper understanding of the ecosystems that sustain life
• Gentle reminders of the role we each play as caretakers of the Earth

This collection is more than poetry—it's an invitation. An invitation to step outside, to notice the hidden stories unfolding in the woods and fields, and to reconnect with the natural world that surrounds us.

Crossing Paths encourages readers to pause, observe, and make one simple choice each day: to pay attention.

Because when we truly listen to the wild things, we rediscover our responsibility—and our place—within the living planet.

If you love nature, poetry, and the quiet magic of the outdoors, Crossing Paths will guide you back to the secret places where the natural world still speaks.