Flowers in the Empty House

Edward L. Edmonds is a professor of education at the University of
Prince Edward Island and honorary chief of the Mi’kmaq of Prince
Edward Island.

A search for identity in the pilgrimage of life is the dominant theme of
this poetry collection by Albert Fuller, a Trinidadian immigrant to
Canada. In dealing with such a frequently addressed topic, the poet, in
order to succeed, needs to offer the reader new insights. Fuller
succeeds, but only in parts. Some of his phrasing appears labored at
times, his rhythms flat, sentiment ordinary. His style lacks variety and
innovative phrasing (e.g., the same syntactic figure occurs seven times
on page 35). On the other hand, Part 4 of his collection really catches
fire. Here one finds satire (as in “Trinidad” and “Exotic
Fruit”), bitterness (as in “After 1970”), and reminisciental
longingness (as in “Ode to My Country” and “My People”). Fuller
also has the happy knack of using the unexpected image, as in “light
as sharp as lemons,” or “night— / I am its warm /milk.” This
poet has had a most interesting life.