The Pig Dance Dreams

David E. Kemp is head of the Drama Department at Queen’s University.

This collection completes Lee’s Black Barn Trilogy (earlier volumes
were Rediscovered Sheep and The Bad Philosophy of Good Cows).

The poems range from the fabulous and whimsical to the dark and
realistic, while never being less than positive. Some of the most
effective are those in which Lee obviously draws on his own experience
(he was born and raised on a farm in southwestern Ontario); these
include “Those Damned Confederation Poets” and “The Killing
Bees.” Other poems are more fanciful, transcending personal experience
(the delightful “Pig Angels” and the terrifying “The Train
Wreck” are notable examples).

Throughout this collection, Lee demonstrates a remarkable gift for
startling imagery, colorful language, and significant metaphor. He
communicates with his audience in a way that is direct, accessible, and
often very moving. Even readers who don’t like pigs one bit will enjoy
and appreciate this collection.