THE BOOK REPORT: Love, Life and Mother Nature: A Poet’s Tribute to Nature’s Healing Powers
By Krysta Lavigne
As someone who loves books, interiors, and quiet moments of reflection, I’m always drawn to works that offer both beauty and insight. Love, Life and Mother Nature by James C. Glassford is one of those rare finds.
James, a retired physician living on Vancouver Island, has spent a lifetime in close communion with the natural world. His poems celebrate nature’s restorative powers, showing how it can comfort, inspire, and even heal. What struck me most is his openness. It’s refreshing to see a medical professional so candidly share his sentiments about the natural world and its role in our emotional well-being. In our increasingly artificial and hectic lives, much of the malaise we feel likely stems from our disconnection from nature. James reminds us how grounding it can be to simply observe, reflect, and appreciate.
The book is a collection of poems that traverse love, relationships, wildlife, and the everyday. The accompanying photographs, taken by his wife, lend a gentle visual rhythm to the words—though I found the layout could have been more integrated, it does not diminish the overall charm of the collection.
Reading these poems, you feel both the peace and the urgency of the natural world. Wolves, eagles, and intertidal pools appear alongside reflections on human life, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things. James’ final poem circles back to environmental care, leaving readers with a sense of responsibility alongside gratitude.
Love, Life and Mother Nature is a delightful reminder that poetry need not be inaccessible to be profound. Even readers who do not typically pick up poetry may find themselves compelled to linger, reflect, and return again.
Mixed Media Magazine 