This major collection of mature work by a Scottish poet who still lacks the degree of recognition he deserves is, as implied by its epigraph, a complex composite autobiography of the inner life. It articulates the progression of the self from infancy to adulthood and onwards to the long preparation for death which is the path we must all take. One of the principal ways in which it does so lies in its intense engagement with and love of nature, for, to cite the title of a key poem, "All Things are Signs", as Boehme knew. More than that, they are "shadows cast by the invisible", and the extraordinary sensuous beauty of so many of these poems is the measure of the spiritual sensibility which pervasively informs them.Most of these poems are quite short and lyrical (even the title poem, which is much the longest, is really a set of related lyrics). Apparently simple in structure, they are in fact very concentrated and sometimes quite difficult, and of great technical assurance. They demand very close attention and careful re-reading, and will be found to repay them richly. Pervaded by Celtic mythology and underpinned by a philosophical mind-set, the poems are deeply rooted in the area of the Perthshire countryside where Perrie has lived for many years, and this rootedness is an important binding factor which confers unity on this large and in many ways diverse collection which represents an exciting and significant new stage in the poet's development. A note fromJohn Herdman, novelist and short-story writer. In The Ages of Water Walter Perrie confirms that he is a poet writing at the zenith of his powers - self-confident in his way with words, ever observant of the life that surrounds him and thoroughly at home with himself and his world. To the clarity that has always characterised his work he has introduced a fresh and convincing sense of harmony which is at once both natural and gracious. This is poetry of the highest order. A a Note from Trevor Royle, former Literature Director of the Scottish Arts Council 1971-1979"The Ages of Water" is a voyage, a verbal exploration of Nature's strength and guiding spirit and the sometimes reluctance of humans to accept its power and benevolence. Walter Perrie has created a new Pastoral Psalter, a revived Book of Hours, a celebration of, and an acknowledgement to, our tidal Master: Water. A note from Hayden Murphy, Poet & Arts Journalist