My Flesh the Sound of Rain

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.

Self-definition is the theme of Heather MacLeod’s first book of poems.
There is much autobiographical content in the collection, with painful
personal memories giving rise to a spontaneous overflow of powerful
feelings. MacLeod avoids the self-pity that is so often a feature of
confessional poetry. My Flesh the Sound of Rain is the work of one who
has survived and is rather proud of the fact. There is considerable
dwelling on body image (more than once we are reminded of the poet’s
freckles and two birthmarks), but there is also imaginative power and a
strong sense of form. The poet, who is part European and part Cree,
engages our sympathies as she tries to come to terms with her divided
cultural heritage. It will be interesting to see where she goes from
here.