Pathways
Pathways is a lyrical exploration of the “Seasons of Life,” weaving together the delicate threads of genealogy, memory, and the natural world. From the rhythmic flutter of wings following island ferries to the quiet intimacy of keeping the cold at bay, these poems capture the essence of the Atlantic Canada experience. Margaret Westlie invites readers to search for the “image holders” of the past while navigating the everyday mysteries of aging, family legacies, and the spiritual “hunger” for the real.
Step into the heart of life’s quiet revelations—where poetry meets memory, and wisdom blooms from the ordinary.
In Pathways, Margaret A. Westlie masterfully weaves poetry and prose into a rich tapestry of life’s moments—sometimes poignant, sometimes playful, always profoundly human. With the warmth of a seasoned storyteller and the precision of a poet, Westlie reflects on childhood innocence, aging and resilience, family, grief, nature, memory, and the spiritual wonder of everyday things.
From a mother’s accidental sip of bagpipe seasoning to meditations on winter birches and whispered winds, each piece in this collection leads readers down paths of recognition and reflection. Westlie’s voice is clear and compassionate—steeped in the textures of Prince Edward Island and guided by a deep reverence for the small truths that shape us.
This is a book for those who savor quiet moments, crave emotional authenticity, and believe that a life well observed is a life well lived.
Open these pages and find your own path among the words—there’s something familiar waiting for you.
FOR FANS OF…
Lyrical, nature-focused poetry in the vein of Mary Oliver or the reflective, community-centered writing of Wendell Berry.
IN MARGARET’S WORDS – THE BACKSTORY
“My journey into poetry began almost by accident. I took a creative writing course during my degree, and when I saw the syllabus required poems, I nearly dropped the class! But as I began to write, I was well and truly bitten by the craft. It wasn’t until many years later, while digging through an old trunk, that I discovered my Grade 8 essay book—complete with my very first poem. It seems the seed of a poet had been planted long before I realized it. Pathways is a collection of those observations gathered over the years, a fun journey through my life that I hope resonates with yours.”
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“While Road Maps felt like a journey, Pathways feels like a destination—a quiet place to sit and reflect. The poems here captured those small, spiritual ‘aha’ moments I usually overlook in the rush of the day. I particularly appreciated how the short prose sections grounded the more lyrical verses, making the whole book feel like a gentle walk through a well-loved garden.”
BOOK DETAILS:
- Series: Essays & Poetry
- Genre: Poetry / Canadian Literature
- Themes: Genealogy, Seasons of Life, Atlantic Canada Nature
- ISBN-13: 978-1-926494-28-9
- Publisher: Selkirk Stories Book Publishing