A Flutter of Wings

A Flutter of Wings is a sweeping, atmospheric collection of poetry that brings together birds, insects, angels, and dream‑creatures in a single, unified realm of flight. Candice James - Poet Laureate Emerita of New Westminster - offers readers a vivid and contemplative journey through forests, oceans, rivers, rainstorms, and surreal dreamscapes where winged beings act as guides, witnesses, and companions. James explores the emotional and spiritual resonance of wings: their fragility, their strength, their symbolism, and their presence in the human imagination. From the 'smooth black raven' who 'unzips the pristine dream' to the 'thousand bluebirds' asking 'What most are you?', her work blends natural observation with metaphysical insight.The collection moves through shifting atmospheres - fog, rain, snow, moonlight, and twilight - capturing the delicate interplay between earth and sky. Poems such as 'A Pleated Movement of Rippled Water,' 'The Whisper of Wings,' 'Dragonfly Dance,' and 'The Butterflies and I' reveal the interconnectedness of all winged life, whether feathered or delicate as glass.James’s voice is lyrical, intuitive, and deeply rooted in the landscapes of British Columbia. Her imagery is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a world where 'the conversations of birds still linger in the damp of tree branches' and 'a raven glides in silent grace.' A Flutter of Wings is a book for readers who seek poetry that is both grounded and transcendent - a meditation on nature, memory, and the unseen forces that shape our days.