All This As I Stand By by Carolyne Van Der Meer

Van Der Meer takes her readers on a journey, through actual places, to emotional roller coasters, through the human body, science, metaphysics and through time. This heartfelt collection of poetry began in Southern New Brunswick, on the Bay of Fundy, and took me through familiar grounds and unfamiliar experiences made real.

If I had to pick one standout poem of the collection, , it would be either “The Finish Line” – about the differences between humans through play and their perception of animals, horses specifically, and the poem to the right of it, “The Fibonacci Sequence” for its powerful imagery and my obsession with the sequence itself. Being able to look at it from the eyes of the poet made it take on a whole new form. That said, the lines “how cold the embrace might be when I returned” from “Reconciling Differences, City Hall Exhibit, Belfast” packed the most punch.

how cold the embrace might be when I returned

Heartfelt, gut wrenching, sweet and empowering, as poetry should be, this collection hit all the right notes and, while a quick read, is certainly an impactful one that will live on. A timeless collection of aging, wisdom and female empowerment, I stand by All This As I Stand By to be added to any poetry collection. From the gorgeous cover to the sequence of the collection, these poems are raw and relatable.

Heartfelt, gut wrenching, sweet and empowering, as poetry should be, this collection hit all the right notes and, while a quick read, is certainly an impactful one that will live on.

Carolyne Van Der Meer is a Montreal journalist, public relations professional and university lecturer. Her articles, essays, short stories and poems have been published internationally in journals and anthologies. Her four previously published books are: Motherlode: A Mosaic of Dutch Wartime Experience (2014); Journeywoman (2017); Heart of Goodness: The Life of Marguerite Bourgeoys in 30 Poems | Du cœur à l’âme : La vie de Marguerite Bourgeoys en 30 poèmes (2020), and Sensorial (2022).

Publisher: Ekstasis Editions (2024)
Paperback 6″ x 9″ | 66 pages
ISBN: 9781771715386

Sarah Butland

Website

I am a struggling artist, a challenging and challenged mother who always thinks she is failing, an emerging freelance writer and reporter, an author with my name on several books crossing genres and always hoping to find more readers who enjoy them.

I am also a successful artist, a wonderful and thriving mother of one, a reacher towards both people and dreams despite all of the turned backs and obstacles in my way. I am a thriving freelance writer and reporter, an author loved by enough readers to make it worthwhile and a discombobulated conundrum who loves to hear new music, tell new tales and meet new authors. And I’m doing something I always dreamed of doing – reviewing books to support others as well as myself and my family.