Light in Dark Objects

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

Light in Dark Object is Brian Henderson’s exploration of the messages
that can be found in objects. Some of his poems question subjects with
established spiritual credentials, such as “Flying from Home,” which
considers karma. Others look at the not-easily-specified spiritual
dimensions of familiar things. He also includes some sensitive poems
about children, which are characterized by a delicate mixture of wonder
and amusement and by a resignation of the unimpeachable validity of a
child’s world.

Henderson’s poems are frequently prosaic, but just as frequently shot
through by startling, unexpected images, such as “hot mercury of
water” or “Thunder ... its wandering sheet of metal.” His
vocabulary is wide-ranging, making use of many scientific and
technological terms (a glossary of terms is provided in an appendix).

In sum, Henderson’s eighth book of poetry is mature in thought and
well crafted in expression.