In a Belgian Garden, and Other Poems

This modest collection brings together more than a dozen poems that move from tranquil gardens to war‑scarred fields, reflecting a poet who balances affection for his Canadian home with the European landscapes he has explored. A university professor of modern languages, he writes with clear language and vivid imagery, letting the reader feel both the quiet beauty of nature and the lingering echo of recent history. The tone remains thoughtful and personal, never slipping into grandiosity.

The opening poem, “In a Belgian Garden,” shifts from blooming lilies to a solemn tribute to fallen soldiers, setting a balance of beauty and loss that recurs throughout. Other verses take the ear across wind‑tossed coasts, quiet cloisters, mountain vistas, and even a playful canoe adventure called “Hidden Treasure,” each painted with bright details of poppies, larks, and rushing rivers. Listeners will feel invited to pause, wander through varied scenery, and contemplate the intertwined themes of home, memory, and the enduring pulse of nature.