Reading the Air: Poems: From Between the Lines, A Life Reimagined in Verse

by Brenda Gunn

In the spring of 1906, under cover of darkness, lovestruck sixteen-year-old Will Ingram crept from his Missouri farm after a violent confrontation with his father. So began an epic, eight-year journey of mishap and misadventure as young Will “rode the rails,” working his way across the American Midwest. Bronc busting, trick riding, and roping with Buffalo Bill at Oklahoma’s 101 Ranch and Wild West show, running a locomotive engine off the track in Kansas, and drinking, gambling, and gold-panning up at Cripple Creek, Colorado, before eventually settling on an Alberta homestead.

His children knew little about their father’s past, and almost nothing of those eight lost years. Luckily, in 1914, he wrote it all down. Reading the Air is a granddaughter’s tribute to a grandfather rediscovered through poetry. Brenda Gunn reads between the lines to reimagine the extraordinary tale of a seemingly ordinary man, inspired by a poem he wrote and found the courage to share.

142 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2026

Reviews

[Wildrose Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Reading the Air: Poems: From Between the Lines, A Life Reimagined in Verse” by Brenda Gunn
📘 Format: Paperback Book
📚 Pub Date: 06.18.26
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

“Reading the Air: Poems: From Between the Lines, A Life Reimagined in Verse” by Brenda Gunn is an emotionally touching book of poems in honour of the Author’s Grandfather, William Livingston Ingram.

I felt as though I was given insight into the Author’s Grandfather and his hardscrabble life. Reading these poems made me feel deeply moved that a Granddaughter took the time and effort to truly try to understand her Grandfather.

This book reminded me that tough times were so much tougher, back in the day. The school of hard knocks was a cruel teacher to many people of the older generation.

This book attests to the resilience, perseverance and determination of the Author’s ancestors. This book of poetry is a deeply moving and touching tribute to the legacy of William Livingston Ingram.

These poems are full of such evocative and descriptive language, and I felt so many emotions while reading these poems. I keep thinking about Nell, and I wish we could know more about what her story really was.

While I was reading one of the Poems in this anthology, “Good Ice”, my childhood memories of ice fishing were brought back so strongly and gave me such a nostalgic feeling!

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Wild Skies Press and Brenda Gunn for the review copy. All opinions are my own. ❤️📚

#ReadingTheAirPoemsFromBetweenTheLinesALifeReimaginedInVerse
#BrendaGunn
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[Vince Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, poetry wouldn't be my first choice, but after reading Brenda Gunn's book, I'd consider myself converted. The poems aren't just standalone pieces, but interconnected to form a long and winding story of the author's grandfather. From his travels through Oklahoma, Colorado, and Montana, to his homestead in central Alberta, I found myself flipping the pages to delve deeper into the life of a man who was stranger when I opened the book, to him feeling like a family member when I closed it. I was especially invested, and saddened, in his lost love, Nell, who he never saw again.

Brenda Gunn took her grandfather's story, and made it feel personal for me, and will likely be the same for anyone else who reads about the old cowboy, and how he lived and died.

Highly recommended!