Wolf Tree

by Alison Calder

A wolf tree is a tree in a bush or a thicket which is different in shape from those around it; a tree whose broader trunk and spreading branches indicate that it once grew alone but is now surrounded. Alison Calder’s poems shine the light of a poet’s curiosity on all manner of “natural occurrences,” which nevertheless stand out. The book opens with an examination of the extreme forms this nature may take – from the Dutch legend of the false child Sooterkin, to two-headed calves, Zip the Pinhead, and other medical curiosities, particularly those captured by 19th century photographic techniques. The disquieting feelings created by these subjects persist, causing the reader to proceed watchfully, even when the poet’s attention switches to more common themes and images - plastic clotheslines,wildflowers of western Canada, snow geese, the Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany.A selection of poems from this manuscript received the Bronwen Wallace Memorial Award for writing excellence by a writer under the age of 35. A section of this manuscript, Sexing the Prairie, was published in the journal Open Letter in Fall 2006.

Genres: Poetry, Canada

83 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2007

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book of poetry that has me missing the prairies. The way Alison wraps words into a poem is both unique and enjoyable. I loved the way she looked at the landscape of the prairie, and at family. If you love Saskatchewan, or poetry in general I would recommend this book to you.

[Angie Abdou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible range, incredible insight, incredible beauty. Read it. It's clear it was a labour of a decade and that the author takes the craft of poetry very seriously.

Read my review at www.abdou.ca/litpicks.html

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous book of prairie poems. Simple and elegant, full of plain language and beautiful imagery. I loved the first few poems about circus freaks and the section about "Sexing the Prairie". My kind of poetry, written by my friend's cousin, oddly enough.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the section "Gravity" and also the "Sexing the Prairie" poems.