To This Cedar Fountain

by Kate Braid

Shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry prize, this book beautifully integrates word and image. "Trees and sky have never lived like this-or they always have, but it's taken these two women [Kate Braid and Emily Carr] to chronicle their joy." -Georgia Straight

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I know who Emily Carr was and I've seen some of her paintings, I don't know much about painting and have never thought much about them. I do however know quite a lot about poetry, and I am delighted how through one medium I am able to better understand another! Braid's poems about Carr's paintings bring the paintings to life for me in a way I might not have come to on my own, although I might be better at understanding painting now, from what I learnt from this small collection.

[Cathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting project, though imo the excerpts from Emily Carr's writing were more interesting than the poems. Wish the referenced paintings had all been included so I could look at them while reading.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational. A perfect execution.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry exemplifying the work of Emily Carr. I had forgotten how powerful Emily's work is and the poetry just brought it to the forefront. What talent, both Emily and Kate.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's too bad that this is now out-of-print. It's a deeply felt poetic Canadian response to a Canadian artist. It's a collection of poetry which is a response to and a dialogue with Emily Carr. I enjoyed the earthiness of these poems: the physical connection to nature that Emily's paintings reveal is highlighted in some of the poems. Braid also draws out the feeling of isolation and loneliness that Carr's writings reveal; she had a hard life going her own way. The poems express Braid's thoughts about each painting -- sometimes a description of her own viewing of it, sometimes a look at the feelings Emily is trying to express through an image. This book is a lovely idea that is wonderfully executed.

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