Tacoma Narrows.

Ronald Charles Epstein is a Toronto-based freelance writer and published poet.

University of Victoria teacher Mitchell Parry’s collection includes the verses that launched his literary career. Two of his poems were The Antigonish Review’s Great Blue Heron poetry contest winners. A third “won Pottersfield Portfolio’s Compact Poetry Competition.” Others have been published in prestigious literary magazines, confirming Parry’s position as a rising Canadian poet.

His work is written from a profoundly British Columbian perspective. In “Crossing the Strait,” he states that “We inhale / rain from Tokyo, exhale storms over Drumheller.” Since Drumheller is an Alberta town, this quote creatively defines his province’s geography and mentality. This author gives his readers a “whimsical education.”

He celebrates “Super, Natural British Columbia,” minus the provincial government boosterism. In “Hazelnut,” he observes the “Coastal Winter, so it’s either raining / or raining.” The phrase turns a climatic cliché into a sardonic comment. Later that day, he sees an eagle perform “slow useless loops over the city.” This reference can be interpreted as a subtle boast, aimed at North Americans whose cities are not inhabited by large predatory birds.

Mitchell Parry is not the first poet to compare his alcoholic father to a dog. However, he establishes his particular perspective in “Boozehound”’s concluding verse, which states the necessity to “Look into those / sad-sack / red-rimmed eyes & stare him down, / remind him who’s boss.” Alcoholism’s power to degrade is eloquently illustrated; the elder Parry is reduced to the status of an unruly pet who must be mastered.

“Campanology (Banff, Alberta)” is set in “bear country.” A sighting of tell-tale waste spooks the explorer but, after the journey ends, he departs, wishing that both he and the bear can “pass in peace.” Anxiety is gently transformed into grace.

Tacoma Narrows is recommended for readers who wish to see a well-grounded imagination at work and play.