Be prepared to laugh out loud
one minute and be taken pensively down memory lane the next in this delightful,
homey and creative collection of 147 poems by writer-artist Lloyd R.
Monteith. In ‘A Day In the Life’ everyday events exhilarate (Golden
Endings, 2015-page 118), ruins are restored (Trike, 2012 - page 33), turtles
and turtle doves titillate (Made It, 2018 - page 52 and Splat!, 2017 -
page 78), food flaunts (Cookies, 2012 - page 3 and Recipe, 2012 - page 115)
history holds us (Never Empty, 2013- page 15.)
Not a poetry buff? Then, revel in the photography and marvel at the artistry
accompanying each submission, both truly revealing this book was a labour of
love. Never have I seen a recipe composed in such a lyrical and easy-to-follow
format. It seems at every turn of the page a satisfying surprise is revealed.
This collection is one man’s view of his corner of the world, and yet somehow
the reader is carefully drawn in to see what the writer sees, hear what he
hears and feel what he feels. Some poems look back. Others look forward. Some
just allow the reader to revel in the ‘now.’
If I must pick a favourite it must be Golden Endings with its accompanying
painting perfectly in sync. Sunsets, the topic of this poem, happen every day
and once immersed in this collection I found myself hoping for another poem to
read tomorrow and every day. To quote the writer in this particular submission:
“I should have learned by now
There can and will be more
The one to come tomorrow
Has never been before.”
A Day In The Life $20.00 CDN and many other books are available for purchase by contacting the museum info@backuspagehouse.ca 519-762-3072 to arrange pick up. To have it shipped, order online at https://squareup.com/store/backuspagehouse
Book review by Nancy Carey on behalf of the Backus-Page House Museum.