white spaces where we learn to breathe

by Murgatroyd Monaghan

“white spaces where we learn to breathe” is art that combines space, text and punctuation as social commentary on the both the spaces that are typically “white spaces”, and also the spaces left behind by missing and murdered BIPOC on Turtle Island. The reader is encouraged to breathe inside these spaces, and to observe them as one might observe a moment of silence.

94 pages, ebook

First published August 16, 2025

About the author

Murgatroyd Monaghan is an Autistic mother, writer, spoken work artist and poet of mixed descent. Her spoken word won first place at the Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival and Myths and Mirrors. Her piece “Thumbs” won the Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize. She has been a finalist for dozens of national literary prizes including the Room Poetry Contest and the CBC Nonfiction Prize. Other writing has been published in Chapter House Review, PRISM, and the Humber Literary Review, among many others.

Murgatroyd has devoted her adult life to motherhood and is pursuing writing now that her children are older. She is working on several book-length projects. A former asylum-seeker, Monaghan was raised in Ontario.

Reviews

[Lavinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day I might have all my words in a row to talk about poetry. Especially poetry I've read. Especially Murgatroyd Monaghan's.
About the threads braided into webs that become polychromatic fabrics.
About realizing that you may be wearing them, perhaps calling them skin, and this book may also be a mirror.
About memory, history that's never past and never distinct from us, but flowing through us in all our presents.
About language, form, identity--ouroboros trees with intertwined branches that are also roots.

[Tom Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

“White spaces where we learn to breathe” is a collection of words an emotions that far exceed the number of pages between the covers. I, by comparison, have lived a sheltered life, reading Monaghan’s words has changed my perspective and appreciation for so many things. This book was such a great read the first time around that I moved it to the list of books I regularly reread.

[N. E. Rule · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of poetry is not meant to be read in one sitting. It is thought and rage provoking. There’s research involved as you find and follow links to people remembered. It’s heartbreaking but necessary work. The only thing more powerful than reading these words is hearing Murgatroyd speak them. So don’t pass up an opportunity if it comes your way.