Profoundly powerful and evocative in voice and tone, this collection of introspective and visionary poems is inspired by Barbara Paul-Emile's search for deeper meaning behind the seemingly disparate experiences of life. The thoughts and feelings expressed in this collection reveal a compassionate and mystical approach towards experience. In the words of the poet, the dance of life is the continual flow between pain and joy, fear and love, hopelessness and triumphant overcoming demanded of us as we negotiate the field of existence. This collection is influenced by the rich shamanic heritage of the West Indian islands and follows Paul-Emile's recently published novel, SEER, a magical tale of redemption set against the lush landscape and spicy aromas of the Caribbean. Described as an exciting new literary voice with broad cross-cultural appeal, the poet speaks with the interpretive depth and power of the mythic shaman who has found the bridge that connects to deeper realities. - Barbara Paul-Emile is Professor of English and Maurice E. Goldman Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences at Bentley College, Waltham, MA.

SEER, set in the Caribbean, traces the mystical adventures of Becka, shaman/healer, as she travels into the spirit-world on a mission to resolve the life and death issues faced by her neighbor's son. Becka endeavors to heal the spirit and thereby heal the body. During these dream-travels she encounters entities and intriguing characters that explode her understanding of "time" and reconfigure her sense of the "real." The plot builds in such a way as to reveal startling developments and revelations about connectedness and the essential unity of people through time. The element of suspense is strong because the shaman's journey is hazardous and the outcome uncertain. The prose is interspersed with poetry and song which serve to heighten its lyricism. Rich in fantasy, myth and magic-realism, the narrative captures the color and cadence of village life and the strong mystical and animistic roots of Caribbean folk culture. ~~~~~~~~~Barbara Paul-Emile, Professor of English and Maurice E. Goldman Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences, holds a Ph.D. in English. Her work centers on 19th century English Literature, Myth and Caribbean literature. A member of the faculty at Bentley College, Waltham, MA, she was named Massachusetts Professor of the Year for 1995 by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She has published numerous articles on scholarly topics, but has remained true to her first love, creative writing. She is presently completing Mosaic, a Collection of Caribbean Short Stories and a manuscript on the Mystical Path of the Warrior Woman.

Profoundly powerful and evocative in voice and tone, this collection of introspective and visionary poems is inspired by Barbara Paul-Emile's search for deeper meaning behind the seemingly disparate experiences of life. The thoughts and feelings expressed in this collection reveal a compassionate and mystical approach towards experience. In the words of the poet, the dance of life is the continual flow between pain and joy, fear and love, hopelessness and triumphant overcoming demanded of us as we negotiate the field of existence. This collection is influenced by the rich shamanic heritage of the West Indian islands and follows Paul-Emile's recently published novel, SEER, a magical tale of redemption set against the lush landscape and spicy aromas of the Caribbean. Described as an exciting new literary voice with broad cross-cultural appeal, the poet speaks with the interpretive depth and power of the mythic shaman who has found the bridge that connects to deeper realities. - Barbara Paul-Emile is Professor of English and Maurice E. Goldman Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences at Bentley College, Waltham, MA.