Welcome to Litsy!

Poetry has just never been something I've gotten into but I really enjoyed listening to the discussion about this on the Storykeepers podcast.

#BookReport April 26-May 2, 2020 Books completed: 2 These were both good but difficult reads. They‘re very different works—stylistically & content-wise—from two writers with different life experiences, but both deal with surviving & healing trauma, & the search for identity. I love Halfe‘s writing, and was lucky to hear her read her work at a poetry reading in the mid-90s. I don‘t feel I am eloquent enough to express how moving this book is. 4.5⭐️

This poetry collection forma a sort of memoir of family and community struggling with the trauma of the Indian Residential School system. The poetry within is incredible. I have read a fair bit of poetry this month, and this is easily the best I have read so far this year. Would definitely recommend.

Halfe's poetry collection is in response to her experiences in Blue Quill Residential School—located 3 miles from where I grew up—and to the Truth & Reconciliation process. It's haunting & powerful.
"My feet were in flames & I could not stand the sight / of my jailed, louse-eaten spirit. For years / I sat with my therapists, having blown / in on my tornado.

Yes, I followed this routine:
on our knees to give the Christ
a difficult time, no time to rub the sleep
from our eyes. Each month I counted the stars
to see how often I'd gone to mass
my heart so wanting. March to breakfast,
to the scullery, hand-peel potatoes,
wash the many pots & pans
under the supervision of the nuns.
To the laundry room to starch & iron,
to the rectory to serve the higher saints
& finally to school to swallow Europe.

Brilliant, difficult, vital. A must read for all Canadians.

Hiding out in my bedroom at my FIL's reading this. Devastating and gorgeous so far.