Pericardium

By Allison Swenson

"Forsake perfection: not even the Earth draws a perfect circle precisely centered around the Sun." - Allison Swenson, Pericardium

It has been said that books are authors' hearts in print, a metaphor Swenson embraces in Pericardium, a collection of poems and vignettes about hope, perseverance, and healing. Titled after the protective sac that surrounds the human heart, Pericardium draws inspiration from the structure, physiology, and connotations of the heart.Drawing on this metaphor, the cover serves as the book's pericardium, surrounding and protecting the interior pages from damage. As the title, Pericardium identifies the cover like a label on a model in an anatomy class. The title implies that the inside-the substance of the book being protected-is Swenson's heart, emblematic of the emotion and vulnerability that underpins this brave and stunning debut.

Divided into four parts corresponding to the heart's four chambers, Pericardium celebrates the beauty and wonders of life through a lens of whimsy, humor, and awe. Pericardium touches on topics like depression and anxiety, body image, heartbreak, loss, appreciation for nature, the pursuit of happiness, and more.

Overall, Swenson's debut collection uplifts and inspires, encouraging readers to keep pushing forward in one direction-as blood flows through the heart-through difficult times, to make peace with the past, be kind to oneself, cultivate confidence and joy, and chase after one's dreams.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DFHMC7X5
• ISBN13: 9798336854534
• Release Date: February 2024
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.0"