Set in the drought-plagued landscape of Central Texas, Ascension is a collection of lyric poems that chronicles life in and around Llano, Texas (population 3,033). Brownlee’s poems meditate on the inescapability of place.

Organ Solo with Oblivion and Gar

Skittish fish lay eggs in this shallow stone cleft of an algae chorus. Turn my soul into song, if you can, River Lord. Treat believing the same as each minnow slipping into deep murk. Your spirit mimics me unblinking, fishbone face framing brackish absence, saying, Kneel into this. Lean low, sinner, & drink. Bitter infidel, swallow the black granite whole if you are not afraid of what comes after it: ___________. Live forever.