Your Words by Louise Bélanger is a collection of the author's original poetry and curated photography that speaks of Bélanger's Christian faith in the face of personal hardship. The poems are written entirely in free form and while they do not employ rhyme schemes or a discernable meter, and the cadence frequently varies even within the same stanza, the overriding themes relating to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and loss in all of its many fashions tie the work together as a whole. These range from the short and staggered I Will Tell You When to the longer narrative woven through All Aboard! There is also a light sprinkling of pieces that venture beyond these themes and two poems written entirely in Spanish.

Poetry can be really tricky to critique because it is perhaps the most artistic form of writing, and as is the case with all artwork, its ability to move or connect is entirely subjective. I like that Louise Bélanger streamlined her work in Your Words so it wasn't just a jumble of poems compiled without any regard for the dangers of shifting from one piece to the next. I did find that the work was occasionally repetitive and unpolished, but this is mostly offset by the kitchen table simplicity of how Bélanger describes her own feelings at the moment and it lends itself to an authentic voice that is difficult to produce otherwise. In this light is the poem Everything Belongs to You, where Bélanger credits the process to God with the lines, “So I pick up Your pen and I scratch Your paper; With the beauty that came to life in my head; From Your hand to mine You flow through; Words You already had arranged...” Well done.

Your Words is a book of poetry by Louise Bélanger. The poems are dated and relate to the period at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. Each one relates to the emotions that the author experienced while writing them. The poems are mainly written in English, but for those that involve another language, an English translation is provided. The poems are accompanied by pictures that reflect feelings of grief, separation from friends, and loss.

Written during the pandemic in 2020, Louise Bélanger’s poems detail the spectrum of emotions that many people felt at the time. Wonderfully penned from a Christian perspective, Bélanger gives the credit of her work to God and shows the beauty of his creations through her poetry. The stanzas are detailed, and the wording embraces readers as they mirror the author’s isolation, yet she is hopeful as she remembers God’s scriptures. The poems engage the reader’s senses, as the author discusses war and racism by speaking about the vibrant colors in a breathtaking field of flowers. Grief, loneliness, and loss of friendship were addressed and beautifully referenced in the flowing script.

This book of poetry would make a wonderful gift to those who are struggling with enforced seclusion, as the words relate to them on a personal level. Even though the poems were written during the pandemic, their message extends into the present. Your Words may be viewed as one woman’s testimony during a difficult time in her life, and the book could touch the hearts of others with its conversational wording and powerful message.

Louise Bélanger's Christian poetry collection Your Words highlights God's love and protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author uses a combination of images and words to convey her message. She writes poems about the pandemic, isolation, and how God guided her through the ordeal. The book starts with a declaration to be happy again after experiencing the effects of COVID-19. This reminds us that God was with us through these troubling times. She also advises us to help one another, to maintain relationships, and not let them slip away like water. Bélanger emphasizes the importance of communicating with family and friends. She pays tribute to the people who lost their lives due to the pandemic and finds joy in the fact that they will meet again in heaven. Because she trusts in God, she does not fear death and compares going to heaven to a one-way train trip. The author shows her appreciation for God's creation by adding references to hills, valleys, rivers, flowers, fields, and animals. Read about these topics and more in this inspirational collection.

Louise Bélanger is a gifted writer because her work is refreshing and inspiring. The COVID-19 pandemic crippled the world and made us feel helpless, and Your Words is a reminder that there is still hope. It does not matter what we are going through as God is always here to protect us. The author also showcases her photographic skills by adding beautiful images of nature and places. The fusion of words and pictures was done flawlessly and gave a unique perspective to every poem. Some poems have Spanish stanzas, like the Happy Mother's Day poem, which is an intelligent choice because it broadens the reader base. The author also included short animal-related stories that I think are adorable.