Little Hunger

by Philip Kevin Paul

Shortlisted for the 2009 Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry

Shortlisted for the Relit Award for Poetry

Philip Kevin Paul's first book, Taking the Names Down from the Hill won the 2004 Dorothy Livesay Award for Poetry. In Little Hunger , his second book for the WSÁ,NEC (Saanich) Nation of Vancouver Island, Paul continues to draw upon the rich oral culture and traditions of his people.

From the eye of a whale rising from the deep, to an albino pigeon being nursed back to health, Paul's work addresses nature, family and traditions that get passed on from generation to generation. A raccoon's eyes become "holy doors of lost keys" and sockeye swim upstream. With elegance and wisdom, Paul speaks of "the stories gone sad, / singing to the hunger that made them, / running past the voices no longer speaking."

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate and strong, these poems reveal an intricate connection with the rhythm of life outside the modern continuum.

[Danika Dinsmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every poem in this book breaks my heart a little.

[Maddox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely writing, just not my thing I guess

[Vieee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love local poetry

[Sam - Spines in a Line · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many beautiful poems here that touch on family and nature and home. I’m not familiar with the traditions the author draws on but he easily draws the reader into this world. Some of my favourites were "On Their Wedding Anniversary” (looking at how mother and son cope with the father’s pain), “For the Poet’s Lover” (an exploration of rain and memory), and “Pathway” (the story of two streams and the meeting of family). I was able to find a copy of this collection in my library but I definitely want to purchase my own copy so I can revisit these poems often!

[Andrea Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetry book full of stories and traditions. I will be certain to read more of the poet's work.