The Canadian Girl

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
the author of No Greater Love.

The four sections of this interesting collection are quite distinct, and
yet they do seem to belong together. The title section deals with the
poet’s personal history, with anecdotal (and sometimes surreal) poems
about growing up and family dynamics. Children putting stuff in their
ears, girls fantasizing about Tarzan and also starting to menstruate are
here, along with a pithy piece about chewing gum in class. Particularly
poignant is “Renovations,” in which the poet recalls laying floor
tile with her father.

The next section contains poems inspired by a housekeeping book
published in 1879; these are actually quite hilarious, while at the same
time providing food for thought. Section 3 concerns conception,
childbirth, and being a new parent. Here we learn that diaper spelled
backwards becomes repaid—a novel way of looking at it. The final
section, something of a miscellany, includes a wonderful glance at what
happens to a fart in an elevator, and a look at adolescent rites of
puberty. Despite the occasional frivolous topic, there are some deep
reflections in this book. The poet is able to be objective, and clearly
does not take herself, or life, too seriously. The language is tight and
spare, without any sacrifice of imagery. The Canadian Girl is definitely
for adults, but teenagers will love it!