Bright Poems for Dark Days: An Anthology for Hope

by Julie Sutherland, Carolyn Gavin (Illustrator)

This book of joyous and uplifting verse is a welcome beacon of hope and happiness in difficult and challenging times. Bright, joyful art to inspire hopefulness is combined with carefully curated poems, chosen to lift the spirits through the healing power of words. Each poem is complemented with a short, contextual introduction.

The book is divided into eight sections on the themes of hope, resilience & courage, joy, nature & escape, love, tranquillity, gratitude and comfort. Featuring a diverse range of writers from Oscar Wilde to Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson to Warsan Shire, the selections are accompanied by explanations and illuminating context that reinforces the positive mental health message. 

This unique book provides a much-needed dose of hopefulness and happiness in turbulent times, whether as a thoughtful gift for someone in need of solace or a resource that can be turned to whenever we need to. 

Genres: Poetry, Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2021

About the author

Julie Sutherland is deeply interested in the capacity of literature—both read and in performance—to effect change in the human spirit. After completing an MA and PhD in English Studies and Seventeenth-Century Studies at the University of Durham, Julie returned to her home country, Canada, to teach Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies at the University of British Columbia and Kwantlen Polytechnic. She has also developed curriculum for Athabasca University’s online Shakespeare modules and created a Shakespeare-for-children programme for an outdoor education group on a tiny island off the Eastern coast of Canada.

Julie has been recognized for teaching excellence in Shakespearean drama in Canada and the UK. She has a long history of leading sessions on Shakespeare, poetry and other literature in educational and non-educational settings in Canada, the US, the UK and online. Julie has also worked in theatre production and administration and even managed to play Titania, Queen of the Faeries, in a semi-professional production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous. Wonderful selections and most certainly the perfect xmas/Hanukkah/etc present

[Rory Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girlfriend was zonked one day after work and had no idea what she wanted or what she needed. I read her a few poems from this book and it put her in a really good mood. If you read these poems to someone you like, they will like you back. That's been my experience.

[Mackenzie Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I read after a year hiatus from concussion and what I wonderful way to be reacquainted with words and poetry. Thank you Dr. Sutherland for bringing some light back into my dark

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant. It is gorgeous. It is just what we all need. Dr. Sutherland beautifully guides us through the turmoil of current politics by using history’s poetry to contextualize our contemporary hopes and fears. She really does bring light to the dark with her own words which appear beside the carefully chosen words of the poets she has selected. And the look and feel of the book just enhances its power to act as a balm for the soul. 5 stars.

[Andrew (Drew) Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely tour through an anthology of poems that unapologetically comfort the reader. The range is broad and I will certainly go on this tour again, but maybe a stop here and there

[Beth Anne]

Part of easing back into my reading routines involved picking up a new book of poetry. This anthology, bright poems for dark days, had been on hold for months, so it seemed like the perfect timing when it arrived last week.

I have been looking for poetry books that include a little bit of analysis, so I was thrilled to discover that each section in this book includes a little introduction and each poem ends with a brief note about why it was included. The sections range from hope to nature to gratitude to comfort, and this book is full of the most bright and beautiful illustrations to go along with the poetry.

If you are looking for a way to ease into the habit of reading poetry, this would be a great choice. The poems are hopeful, many might be familiar while others are more obscure, and the brief notes are really helpful. Plus, there is encouragement to slow down, to read aloud (to yourself), and to not worry if a poem doesn't resonate; not every poem will be perfect for every person.

[Julie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute little anthology with a great selection of short poems! definitely good for someone new to poetry or just needing quick affirmations.

[Cheryl Costen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is exquisite: the choice of poems, the thoughtful commentary about each inclusion and the uplifting illustrations. My spirit is lifted every time I open this beautiful work.

[Lovebell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful selection of poems with great prefaces for each section. It will make a really nice present.

[Norina Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poetry complimented by the artwork, truly bringing brightness on dark days!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of poems

[Reilly Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

other than reading so many beautiful poems—ending with mary oliver’s “in blackwater woods” is extremely bittersweet—the introductions of each section and commentary after each poem is written gorgeously and incredibly insightful. 🩷💫

[Kayley Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“By thy pale beams I solitary rove, to thee my tender grief confide; serenely sweet you gild the silent grove, my friend, my goddess, and my guide.”

- Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

I, too, tell my secrets to the moon.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many wonderful poems

[Gabriela Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm cup of tea to the soul. Filled with bright and colourful illustrations, words of wisdom by poets from dating from the 19th century and beyond, and lessons about life and love, this a balm to the heart, medicine to anyone going through something difficult, or simply a book capable to brighten up one’s day. I LOVED this and only hope that Julie Sutherland comes up with volume II or another anthology.

[Meygan Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this anthology! I came across many poets I had never heard of and I love their work. I am giving this book to a friend who just suffered a miscarriage.

[Sara Girardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved most of these poems. Especially loved the writers notes that explained their interpretation of the poem.

[Madalina Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It has provided me with comfort, reassurance and calmness in a period of my life when I was not feeling well emotionally. It has reminded me of the importance of gratitude, of hope, of love and changing your perspective. The poems inside it are not only bright, but full of insights and makes you ask questions you never thought about. Loved it! 💖

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most delightful book to delve into over a long time. The illustrations by Carolyn Gavin are a joy. The anthology has some of my favourite poems and I will be keeping this little treasure close by me.

[Bailing Lue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as though some poems overlap certain sections or maybe some were placed in wrong sections, but for the most part the sections of love and tranquility had the most favs. The introductions to each section were also very enlightening. I especially loved the intros for love, gratitude and comfort.

[Colombe Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always fun to read a poetry book filled with many different poets, so as to get multiple view points on topics.

[Laura Forner · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely little collection, but the illustrations bumped it up a whole star for me.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection that was very moving to me, and that I enjoyed sharing with friends!

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This uplifting collection of poems by various poets can cheer you up on a bad day! The poems bring out the feelings that you get on a nice spring day. The warmth that you feel inside is scattered throughout the word which are complimented by the art throughout the book. If you are looking for an artistic pick me up then check this out!

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well done anthology. The art is beautiful, there is a wide range of forms and authors, and the corresponding blurbs were spot on. My only complaint is I feel that the volume could have been a tad less nature focused.

[Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Great collection, but I’m not as attached to the selection for each theme and commentary for each poem as much as I am for other anthologies. Not sure what it is. But this was lovely and I think many would get a lot out of this.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection. But the binding smells weird in this edition.

[Taylor Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent anthology although the author’s worldview did not align with mine

[Gillian Reeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good......but lost my focus a bit towards the end! Love the cover and art inside!