"Your Words Your World" (Louise Bélanger)

TITLE: Your Words Your World
AUTHOR: Louise Bélanger
PUBLISHER: Independent, Louise Bélanger, 2021, (99 pages).
 

The past two years have been particularly challenging for many people all over the world. With much of the world still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, it will take a while before the world gets any semblance of the normalcy we are used to. As governments and health authorities continue to stress the need for vaccinations, healthcare professionals are preparing to deal with the next big crisis: Mental Health. Due to the lockdowns, quarantines, and prolonged periods of isolation, most people would find it a struggle without social well-being. After all, we are all social creatures. What if we could learn to listen to how God speaks to us through nature and creation at large? Inspired by the beauty of creation, Canadian poet Louise Bélanger shares with us many pretty photos followed by a short poem. The poems are brief, usually between 1 to 2 pages in length. She writes about the wonder of nature and the unique qualities embedded in creation. From Ordinary time to Christmas; she not only describes what is seen, but she also connects them with words of faith.  Frequently, we find Bible truths arising out of the poems. Truths like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, the Trinity, the futility of the world, Heaven, Prayer, God's creation narrative, Jesus' birth narrative, and many more. 

Bélanger uses words carefully with each sentence written in brief succinct words, enough to let readers pause and ponder. I like the way she combines what she feels with the words of faith. She frequently compares what we see in this world with the promises of heavenly hope. Hope is about anticipating a glorious life in Christ and with Christ. Sometimes, it takes a while before readers can perceive where the author is going. That's the power of poetry, to help us pause and take stock of what we see and hear. This world needs more poetic thoughts, especially in an impatient world. In a social media era, many people prefer to communicate in short texts and concise quips. The term TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read) best describes that sentiment. Yet, Bélanger's poems show us that there is no need to rush. Take time to read, think, ponder, and relax that it is ok not to rush and not to be rushed. Perhaps, that is the idea. In our busy world, more often than not, we have become so frantic with what we want to do, until we forget what we are called to be. This book of poems is a testimony of one poet who has learned the power of noticing life and in the process, noticing the movements in her own heart.

Louise Bélanger is a Canadian poet who started writing poetry in the Spring of 2020. Spurred by encouragement from friends to let the beauty of nature put thoughts to words, and words into poems. This is her second book of poems. The author's website could be found here.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of the author and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.