<p>In<em> Lost Language</em>, written during the months after a husband's sudden death, Faith Shearin explores the loss of the private language spoken in marriage. She also considers an ancient dancing plague, moon trees, rat kings, and animals in space; she remembers a biology classroom, northern lights, mononucleosis. Shearin imagines Amelia Earhart's distress calls and time in Madagascar. <em>Lost Language</em> is about grief but it is also about wonder.</p>