Across the Stillness: Poems from the Cariboo

Elizabeth St. Jacques is the author of Echoes All Strung Out and
Survivors: The Great Depression, 1929-1939.

Most of the 17 poems by Ann Walsh are narrative and range from seven
lines to three-and-a-half pages, while Margaret Tuey’s bright,
detailed illustrations perfectly enhance this well-written collection.
From the opening poem, in which the 91-year-old Walsh visits her beloved
grandfather in the Cariboo just before he dies, the poet moves the
reader gently through her life up until the time when she becomes a
foster parent. Along the way, beauty, compassion, sorrow, anger, awe,
humor, and joy unfold naturally and vividly (and without preachiness) to
leave lasting impressions. Through it all, the reader learns valuable
lessons about life (even a technique for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation).

Old age and friendship are loved, respected, and honored, while
poverty, negative character traits, and handicaps are met with empathy
and understanding. (“Treasure,” “Son,” and “Learning
Disability” are standouts.) Given this poet’s sensitivity, it’s
not surprising that these emotions are extended beyond humanity. For
example, in “Cariboo Fences,” an old “sly top rail / Crawls down /
To nudge / The one beneath,” while in “Midnight at Chimney Lake”
the “lightning licks / And thunder burps.” But there’s fun here
too. “Fruit Salad” contains something that is “hard-skinned and
wrinkled / And smells most peculiar,” and “Me” is a delightful
look at oneself. Highly recommended.