Book review: Love Life Loss and a little bit of hope: Poems from the Soul

Reviewed by Carrie MacKenzie

Love Life Loss and a little bit of hope: Poems from the Soul by Giima R. Stacey Laforme is an amazing and beautiful book of poetry that inspires the reader. These poems are thoughtful and encouraging.

Topics ranging from Indian Residential Schools, intergenerational trauma, Motherhood, allyship, death, and hope are brought to life in these poems. Many of these are universal, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers can relate to them; however, they are written from an Indigenous perspective, introducing non-Indigenous readers to these experiences and issues faced by Indigenous people. The intimate way Giima Laforme writes speaks to his life experience and hopes for the future.

These poems are haunting and thought-provoking. The reader will surely have an emotional reaction to these words. This response may make them uncomfortable, but not so ill-at-ease that they may stop reading. They will think about what they are reading, opening themselves to new perspectives.

Some of these poems are sad, others are joyful, but all give a sense of hope. They are peaceful and comforting, even those about difficult topics. The tone of this collection is gentle, the reader feels connected to the poems and therefore, they think more deeply about what they are reading. Non-Indigenous readers are then able to learn about these issues or even if they are familiar with them, they see them from an Indigenous perspective.

Through his poems, Giima Laforme invites the reader to be an ally and learn about issues Indigenous people face from their perspective. This makes it impossible for the reader to dismiss these views and experiences as non-existent or exaggerated and consider their role in reconciliation.

Giima Laforme, a member of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe First Nation, also ensures that Non-Indigenous readers do not feel blamed for the intergenerational trauma that Indigenous people have suffered. He does this by including poems about allyship and reconciliation, asking people to be Indigenous allies and suggesting ways towards reconciliation. This gives hope for healing and reconciliation.

Also, while most of these poems deal with Indigenous people’s experiences and traditions, they are written in a way that resonate with all readers. In this way, they serve to educate the readers about these traditions and experiences and the lasting effect they have had on Indigenous society.

Through these verses, Giima creates clear and vivid pictures in the mind of the reader. This helps the reader to see and feel what he is expressing through his verse effectively making the messages more real and something they may relate to.

The language used by Giima Laforme language that is used every day.  This means these poems can be accessed and understood by anyone who reads them, increasing the impact these poetic messages have on the reader.

Love Life and Loss and a little bit of hope: Poems from the Soul is a perfect follow up to Giima Laforme’s other book of poetry, Living in the Tall Grass. There is a carry-over of topics into the second collection and the addition of new topics that continue his message and education of the reader.

Love Life Loss and a little bit of hope: Poems from the Soul is a collection that will generate conversation and educate the reader. In fact, the reader may even learn something about themselves.

Chief R. Stacey Laforme, Love Life Loss and a little bit of hope: Poems from the Soul. Calgary: Durvile & UpRoute Imprint, 2024.

ISBN: 978-1-990735-43-1