Book: Phases

By Belinda Betker
Published by Shadowpaw Press Reprise
Review by Michelle Shaw

Phases, a debut poetry collection by Saskatoon poet Belinda Betker, beautifully captures the stages and transformations of one woman’s life. It unravels like a journey that begins in childhood and culminates in the “triumphant release of coming out and the liberating power of drag.”

Along the way Belinda reflects on stereotypes, conformity and society’s expectations. She captures distinct moments in time with an exquisite touch and an often-soul penetrating choice of words.

And while one’s instinctive response is to read it as memoir, Belinda notes that not all the poems are strictly autobiographical.

I marvelled at the accuracy of her descriptions and the accessibility and emotional intensity of her words. The book is divided into four sections, each describing a particular lunar phase. I was so fascinated by the terms: Saros Cycle, Grazing Occultation, Perigee Syzygy and Orbital Eccentricity, that of course I had to look them up. The explanations gave such an added dimension to the poems in each section, which I imagine was Belinda’s intent. As I’m sure each definition is open to interpretation, I encourage you to look them up yourself!

I also learned a lot about the drag scene, and in particular, the drag king scene, which I knew very little about. I had never previously considered some of the practicalities of “gender illusion” in this particular scenario, or the intricacies involved in choosing a stage name and songs to fit various aspects of one’s character!

Phases was first published in 2019 by Coteau Books and I’m delighted that it has been republished, and revised and expanded, by Shadowpaw Press Reprise. The new edition features a number of new poems.

Belinda Betker (aka Dyke Van Dick) is a prairie-born poet living in Saskatoon with her Australian wife and their rescue dog, a springer spaniel/terrier cross. The first edition of this poetry collection was a 2020 finalist for two Saskatchewan Book Awards.

Belinda’s poetry and award-winning haiku are also published on-line and in various anthologies, literary journals, and chapbooks.

Belinda is a founding member of two long-running Saskatoon writing groups, Sisters’ Ink and The Obsessors. She was also a founding and longtime board member of the Saskatoon Writers’ Collective.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM