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Ellis's compilations are reflections on the time he and his wife spend working the portion of their property "once designated as wasteland." Among Ellis' poems are written snippets taken from Shirley's journal, such as "Discovery," which is directed toward the time she unearths an endangered plant called prairie bush clover. Another great example is found in "Mousekin," when she observes a field mouse "propped on a seed head." Lastly, "Backpack" is a metaphorical reference to a difficult day working the land and ironically the resting place for Shirley's ashes. The first in a small handful of metaphorical settings, Ellis' themes focus on environmental degradation from humans—particularly the white man—and the powers that be ("Unnatural Selection" and "Indian Pipe-Stem") and injuries ("Giving the Finger").
Many of Ellis's themes focus on the indigenous plants that grace the Wisconsin area, the various animals that "invade" their environs, and turning their "wasteland" into a work of beauty. Plant examples include Shirley's attention to flora in "Kittentail Trail" and unearthing exceptional finds in "Green Dragon" and "Plum Trees." "Burning" (controlled burning of vegetation), "Bridge Dance" (creating a bridge over a creek), and "Overcast" (working the land frustrations) perfectly capture the essence of working the land. While Ellis shares their aggravation with muskrats in "Pond," poems such as "Woodcocks" and "The Touch" reflect the sweet aspects of wildlife.
Yet among Ellis's collection are themes that capture a different flavor. "Permission" reflects on a time when a hunter asks permission to hunt on the Ellis property and is turned away, and "Blaze Orange" is a distinctive poem that closes with a bit of a bite. There is even a poem dedicated to spraying herbicide ("Spray Dance"). All set to first person viewpoints and filled with lush descriptions punctuated by thought-provoking reflections, Ellis' collection is largely, but not exclusively, penned in freeform. "Dodder," which features a plant that only feasts on deadly plants, is based on a couplet. In "Walking with Daughter," Ellis breaks his poetry into two haiku stanzas and freeform prose.
Aptly complementing Ellis' poems are photographs of the Ellis's property, specifically the designated "wasteland." Quadcopter stills, taken by their son Andy, are aerial snapshots portraying scenes of the area at different points of its development within seasonal changes. While the whole of Ellis' project is certainly a work of true love and devotion for his wife and her legacy, much of what he has written reaches out to a very select audience. Certainly, family and those who knew Shirley best will be top on that list. Ellis' poems reflect the intimate and integral relationship he shares with Shirley, as well as her close ties with her earthly surroundings. That said, there is an elevated chance that many nuances will be lost by most readers. On the flip side, Ellis' poetic descriptions point to the flora and fauna amid Wisconsin's diverse geography, which not only makes for a wonderful addition to local historical collections, but also an attractive feature to passionate environmentalists and botanists intrigued with the north-central region of the United States.
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