I found myself in a bookshop the other day, as you do, and was browsing the poetry section. I don’t read much poetry at all but I’m willing to discover authors beyond Mary Oliver and Rupi Kaur. The bookseller started chatting and recommended this woman poet from Quebec with such heart that I bought one of her collections on the spot.

Hélène Dorion’s poetry is very accessible, very evocative and rich in imagery. The collection opens with short poems around the experience one has in forests, and evolves toward longer pieces linking trees with the history of humanity and other large themes. I’m not a poetry critic, as you can see. I really loved the shorter poems and savoured every word. This short volume would be perfect as a gift to someone who would like to start reading poetry!