National Network for Equitable Library Service

Andy Weaver led a life of quiet contemplation before becoming a father at the age of 42. Within three years he had two sons; two small, relentless disruptions to an existence which had, for a very long time, been self-sustaining and tranquil. "The Loom" is a book about love. It is a book about frustration, confusion, crying, and being sticky. It is a book about doubt, unreadiness, fear, sleeplessness, and pressure. It is a book about parenthood. But mostly, it's a book about love. Andy Weaver presents a series of lyric poems which stand on their own yet weave together to create a complete whole, like childhood days. He shares the beauty of parenthood, and it's unexpected frustrations, and the surreality of an experience that is at once deeply universal and completely personal. With self-awareness and a deep vein of humour, he translates the total submission to unconditional love the parenthood demands.