Between Heather and Grass: Poems and Photographs Filled with Love, Hope and Whippets

Welcome to Between Heather and Grass - Poems Filled with Love, Hope and Whippets, our beautiful, soulful sequel to Sharing Our Horizon and our second book for whippet lovers, dog lovers and lovers of nature. The book features poetry, breathtaking photographs of the Scottish Highlands, and our two adopted whippets Eivor and Pearl. The majority of the poems are haiku, haibun and tanka, written in rhythm with the seasons. The poems and photographs illuminate each other and are both calming and inspiring, inviting you to dip into this collection many times over. Thirty per cent of net profits from the sale of this book will be shared with Children with Cancer UK, in memory of our nephew Jamie Baker. Another thirty per cent of net profits will be shared with animal rehoming charities.

Table of Contents:
Bathing in Light/ Introduction /The Poems: Skylark/ Spring Air/ Nature's Spirit/ On the Shore/ Colours of the Sea/ Sacred Forest/ Allt Na Bodachan/ Spring Lanterns/ This World We Sail In I/ This World We Sail In II/ Passing Spring/ Hazy Morning/ Seagull/ Song of Sika/ Summer Solstice/ Radiance/ Basho's Spirit/ Stretching Dreams/ Blue Ocean/ Plockton Bay/ A Message from the Stars/ When the Mist Rises/ Heavenly Music/ Memories/ Playing Ball/ Origins/ Stone Steps/ Nature's Layers/ Catching Footprints/ Dawn to Dusk/ A Voice from the Unseen/ Deep Time/ A Special Encounter/ Quiet Beauty/ A Wish/ Lochs that Glitter/ A Field of Flowers/ Purple Splendour/ Raven's Rock Gorge/ Autumn Gold/ In Every Leaf/ Morning Glory/ Deep inside this Hill/ Arch of Gold/ Winter Mist/ Two Ravens/ Waiting for Snow/ Winter Dawn/ Winter Comfort/ The Hawk's Eye/ Fresh Snow/ One More Glance/ A Dream Rests/ Silver Soft/ Puddle Gazing/ Golden Hour/ The First Swallow/ A Safe Landing/ Gratitude/ Divine Love/ About the Poetry Forms: Haiku/ Tanka/ Haibun/ Sijo/ Ruba'i/ Acknowledgements/ About the Author/ About the Charities/ By the Same Author/ Bibliography/ Stay in Touch

About the Author :
Xenia Tran was born in The Netherlands and lives in the Scottish Highlands with her husband and their fostered and adopted whippets. Over the last twenty-three years she developed her skills as an artist, writer and photographer along with a strong interest in meditation and Japanese poetry forms. She writes haiku, haibun and tanka in Dutch and English, honouring an ancient tradition inspired by Saigyo, Basho, Chiyo-Ni, Ryokan and Issa. Her poems have been published in international print and online journals, video journals, calendars and anthologies and feature in two full-length collections. Her first book, Sharing Our Horizon, was published in 2018 in aid of animal rehoming charities. The poems are written in rhythm with the seasons and the fluctuations of the weather within those seasons. Her second collection, Between Heather and Grass, was published in 2019 in aid of Children with Cancer UK and Animal Rehoming Charities. She is currently working on her third collection of poems and photographs, the proceeds of which will be used to continue the support of charities close to her heart.

Review :
'"Between Heather and Grass" by Xenia Tran is a poetry book focused on Asian styles. It is accompanied by photographs of whippets in natural settings. The combination of beautifully entwining words, charming animals, and alluring countrysides make this poetry collection uniquely special. The author has supplied a bibliography for readers interested in learning more about poetry. She has also included her own descriptions of the forms of poetry she chose for this book. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. One more note regarding this book: proceeds from the sales go to a worthy cause.' (Jessica Lucci); 'The joyful lifestyles of Eivor and Pearl are lovingly depicted through thoughtful poetry and beautiful images. My favorite is "Gratitude," accompanied by the dancing whippets. A relaxing journey through the seasons in the Scottish highlands.' (Terri Schrandt); 'Heart warming, inspirational and provocative in equal measure. A collection of works evocative of the sometimes bleak, but ever welcoming Scottish Highlands. It's a book filled with kind observations, nuanced declarations of affection, and gentle reflections on the passing years. A sand timer for the seasons in life.' (Dr Lecter); 'Between Heather and Grass is a second lovely book from Xenia Tran, combining verse and beautifully scenic photography, not forgetting two gorgeous whippets. The complementary poetry and photos capture the majesty of the Highlands, showcasing the mountains, glens, lochs, forests and the beautiful beaches that Eivor and Pearl enjoy exploring. Visually satisfying and inspiring with spiritual connotations, this is a book to pick up again and again. If you're a poetry, nature and/or animal lover this book is a must...one to appreciate by dipping into or enjoying in one sitting, with verses such as this...'the flow/ of black rock and turquoise waves/ ocean's beauty/ between us on the shore/ the memories keep growing.' Between Heather and Grass supports Children With Cancer UK, in memory of a young family member as well as rehoming centres.' (Cathy Ryan); 'Between the Heather and Grass - Poems Filled with Love, Hope and Whippets by Xenia Tran features fine poetry, gorgeous photographs of Scotland, and those two elegant whippets. In addition, there are short paragraphs of prose that expand on the poetry and photos. About Between Heather and Grass, Xenia writes, "We are donating thirty per cent of any net profit from the sale of this book to a children's cancer charity in memory of our nephew Jamie Baker and another thirty per cent of net profit to the UK's largest dog welfare charity in memory of Flynn, Fergal, Seamus and Ruby. " Readers, I have a confession to make. I was moved to tears by the poignancy of the photos and words in this book combined with the dedication to Xenia's nephew, who alas, did not survive his bout with cancer. I, too, have a nephew who had cancer, but fortunately he survived. This is a book to cherish, to have in your own library and to give to others who love photography, poetry, and dogs.' (Laurie Graves).