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kell_xavi's review
4.0
An interesting book by a recognized Canadian poet that focuses on nature, remembrance, history. I enjoy John Steffler's writing, but found it more fulfilling to read a couple of poems at a time over a longer period. He describes many scenes, plants, the commingling of humans and the natural world, and such is the detail hat I wanted to pay attention to it all but it quickly became a slog (as with paintings or many things that focus on nature, less says more). I find one of Steffler's strongest skills to be integrating a human concept into a nature scene - not lessening the nature, but increasing its meaning with a relatability. It is clear that the author has a certain devotion for all that he writes about: he enters nature's deeper spaces for his pleasure, and writing of them increases or solidifies that pleasure.
My favourites:
Barrens Willow
Wind Shadow, L'Anse aux Meadows
Notes on Burnt Cape
Location
Warm Shallow Sea*
/
There Is No One to Blame
Bloodroot*
/
ONCE* - this whole section looks at Steffler and his parents, on a visit to them after they have begun to lose memory and both hold tight to and allow a release of their pasts. One of my favourite parts of the book.
/
Collecting, Bay of Islands*
Uplands
Under Mad Dog Lake
In the Winter
Kiparissia
Tomb of Clytemnestra
/
Postcard: Cement Plant
Building the Paper Mill
Postcard: Paper Machine
Self Portrait, Serpentine Valley
My favourites:
Barrens Willow
Wind Shadow, L'Anse aux Meadows
Notes on Burnt Cape
Location
Warm Shallow Sea*
/
There Is No One to Blame
Bloodroot*
/
ONCE* - this whole section looks at Steffler and his parents, on a visit to them after they have begun to lose memory and both hold tight to and allow a release of their pasts. One of my favourite parts of the book.
/
Collecting, Bay of Islands*
Uplands
Under Mad Dog Lake
In the Winter
Kiparissia
Tomb of Clytemnestra
/
Postcard: Cement Plant
Building the Paper Mill
Postcard: Paper Machine
Self Portrait, Serpentine Valley
More...