Pale Grace

Elizabeth St Jacques is the author of Dance of Light and Around the Tree
of Light.

These 38 free-verse poems by Saskatchewan poet Sherry Johnson are billed
as “reflect[ing] the interrelationships of body, mind and spirit and
the resulting dynamics ... [and as recreating] personal mythologies from
the archetypal cycles of human existence.”

A pleasing musical rhythm runs through the collection, which also is
rich in imagery, metaphor, and simile—for example, “The wolf at the
door is speaking midnight. / I’ll come to you with the moon in my
throat” (“An Emblemmed Coat”); and “my hands rose up like frozen
doves / in all the extra light” (“And Much Comes In”).

Johnson can touch you deeply, anger you, make you squirm. She’s a
genuine weaver of words and emotions. But be forewarned: some poems
dealing with sex may offend. Although the author sometimes tries too
hard to be sophisticated (or modern?) at the expense of clarity, her
strong voice and poetic talent are undeniable.