Breathe Together

Conspiracy and other poems of the plague

By: Peri Worrell

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Breathe Together takes its title from the Latin root words of the word “conspiracy,” which also gives the central poem its title. It is both deeply personal and universally relatable, and it speaks to the resilience and humanity of those who lived through complex losses and betrayals during these traumatic times. The language is both mystical and cerebral, with a strong sense of imagery, reflection, and raw emotion. The collection is not only a meditation of the pandemic, familial lineage, insanity, and infidelity, but also the emotional journey of the poet. The reader can feel the pain, enchantment, and uncertainty that the poet feels. The poems are written in a variety of styles and forms, but they are united by a common thread of foreignness and vulnerability.

The poems addressing the pandemic capture the terror and uncertainty of living through a global crisis, as well as the moments of hope and connection that have helped people to get through it. The poems about insanity delve into the confusion and turmoil of watching someone you love losing their grip on reality even as the world seems to have lost its grasp on truth. Poems about becoming a grandmother reflect on the joys and sorrows of being far away while one's troubled child starts a family of their own, while contrasting with the discovery of infidelity and confronting the pain and betrayal of having one's trust broken.

Overall, Breathe Together is a powerful collection of poetry that delves into the complexities of human emotion during a time of calamity. It is a must-read for anyone who has been affected by the pandemic, struggled with mental health, become a grandmother, or experienced infidelity. It is a reminder that amid difficult times we can still find hope, connection and healing by breathing together.