Review by Joanna M. Weston

Rita Bouvier writes with tenderness and humour of her life and family. Her poetry is evocative, gentle and strong: there are poems that tell stories, poems that hold a moment forever in their lines as in 'Kayas Mana'; poems that laugh, 'The medicine man'; poems that cry, 'Leaving home'.

They are, as poetry is, personal writings that portray moments of cosmic perception: 'a good path taken/ is all that counts'. It would be difficult to read this book without being aware of the sadness ('Kimamanow Iskwew') and laughter ('A good story to tell') between her and her family members, who are intrinsic to her vision. She writes of the contemporary experience of being Aboriginal with insight and truth.

Bouvier's language is simple; her use of the Cree and Mechif languages enrich her work and our understanding, though there are a few places where a stanza break would be helpful. Other than that, her poems are gift and wonder: a privilege to read.

JOANNA M. WESTON: born in England; married to an accountant, Robert; 3 sons, one daughter-in-law, 3 grandchildren, two cats; has a green thumb and an enlarging garden. M.A. from the University of British Columbia; appears in several anthologies; published in Canada, U.S.A., U.K. etc. for the past 15 years in magazines such as CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIES, CHIRON REVIEW, DANDELION, ENDLESS MOUNTAIN REVIEW, SPIN, WRITER’S OWN MAGAZINE, GREEN’S MAGAZINE, etc.; reviews poetry. chapbooks: ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES, 1987; CUERNAVACA DIARY, 1990; SEASONS, 1993; ALL SEASONS, 1996 (2nd edition 1997).