Jane Tims
Biography
Jane Tims - Photo Courtesy of Author
Alexandra Jane Tims, born and raised in southern Alberta, is a writer, botanist, historian, and artist. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science (Biology) from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in History and Anthropology from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Tims worked for over 30 years in the fields of watershed management and community planning for New Brunswick’s Department of the Environment. She currently resides in Rusagonis, New Brunswick, where she writes full-time.
Tims is part of two local writers’ groups: Fictional Friends and Wolf Tree Writers. Her book of poetry within easy reach was published in 2016 by Chapel Street Editions under the name Jane Spavold Tims. It features poems and drawings about gathering local foods and harvesting wild edible plants. In 2016, Tims won the Alfred G. Bailey Prize for her manuscript of poems about birdsong. Currently, Tims is in the midst of publishing a series of six long Science Fiction poems under the name Alexandra Tims. Meniscus: Crossing the Churn, the first book in the series, was published May 2017.
Tims has published 88 poems in 23 literary journals, one feature, one chapbook with Fictional Friends (butter and eggs, 2015), and one short story. Her second book of poetry with Chapel Street Editions, in the shelter of the covered bridge, is now available.
Tims is part of two local writers’ groups: Fictional Friends and Wolf Tree Writers. Her book of poetry within easy reach was published in 2016 by Chapel Street Editions under the name Jane Spavold Tims. It features poems and drawings about gathering local foods and harvesting wild edible plants. In 2016, Tims won the Alfred G. Bailey Prize for her manuscript of poems about birdsong. Currently, Tims is in the midst of publishing a series of six long Science Fiction poems under the name Alexandra Tims. Meniscus: Crossing the Churn, the first book in the series, was published May 2017.
Tims has published 88 poems in 23 literary journals, one feature, one chapbook with Fictional Friends (butter and eggs, 2015), and one short story. Her second book of poetry with Chapel Street Editions, in the shelter of the covered bridge, is now available.
“… they can be satisfied with bark-bread, or cakes made of the roots of water-dragon, which grows wild on the banks of the river…”
Mrs Campbell Overend, 1872
beside the road, the pond
simmers, a kettle
of frog-croak and Leather-leaf
spathes of Water Dragon
hug their lampposts, glow white
entice the desperate
bull-frog song, deepens the shallows
the way voices lower when they
speak of trouble, famine, people
so hungry, harvest so
poor, they wade in mire
grind roots of Wild Calla for flour
needles to tongue, burns to throat
crystals of calcium oxalate, toxic
but worth the risk –
the drying, bruising, leaching, the boil
the painful test to know
if poison has been neutralized
double-edged deliverance
of the Missen bread
Mrs Campbell Overend, 1872
beside the road, the pond
simmers, a kettle
of frog-croak and Leather-leaf
spathes of Water Dragon
hug their lampposts, glow white
entice the desperate
bull-frog song, deepens the shallows
the way voices lower when they
speak of trouble, famine, people
so hungry, harvest so
poor, they wade in mire
grind roots of Wild Calla for flour
needles to tongue, burns to throat
crystals of calcium oxalate, toxic
but worth the risk –
the drying, bruising, leaching, the boil
the painful test to know
if poison has been neutralized
double-edged deliverance
of the Missen bread
White Baneberry
and Bluebead Lily, sly
berries peak, vivid
between leaves, part
a path in the under-
story, dolls wink, use
fern shadow to blink
guile disguised as gift
a bead of metal
lacquered
alien
blue
glossed in the margins
of the Guidebook
with crossbones and skull
and Bluebead Lily, sly
berries peak, vivid
between leaves, part
a path in the under-
story, dolls wink, use
fern shadow to blink
guile disguised as gift
a bead of metal
lacquered
alien
blue
glossed in the margins
of the Guidebook
with crossbones and skull
1.
At the ankle-wet edge of the waves
breathe salt-fresh air, thick
with fishing weirs, sea foam and fog
Study the crisp edge, the tolerance
of islands, rocks and wind-formed trees
Choose the place to stand –
twelve hours to know if you have stepped
too far, at least to wet your thighs and wrists
at most to comprehend where ocean can drown you
carry you away
2.
At low tide, who can know what marker to choose?
Somewhere, unforgiving, up-shore of the flats
where clams, best filters of detritus, spurt their stories
Perhaps the first, second or third band of bladderwrack
or the place where hydrophylics flourish –
clumps of Goosetongue, mats of Sea-blite
forks of Samphire, salt for the stew, delicacies from the strand
Or where the Orach grows, at the landward threshold
of salt air, salt spray but where salted waters
rarely stray
All poems published in within easy reach, (Chapel Street Editions, 2016).
Used with permission of the author.
At the ankle-wet edge of the waves
breathe salt-fresh air, thick
with fishing weirs, sea foam and fog
Study the crisp edge, the tolerance
of islands, rocks and wind-formed trees
Choose the place to stand –
twelve hours to know if you have stepped
too far, at least to wet your thighs and wrists
at most to comprehend where ocean can drown you
carry you away
2.
At low tide, who can know what marker to choose?
Somewhere, unforgiving, up-shore of the flats
where clams, best filters of detritus, spurt their stories
Perhaps the first, second or third band of bladderwrack
or the place where hydrophylics flourish –
clumps of Goosetongue, mats of Sea-blite
forks of Samphire, salt for the stew, delicacies from the strand
Or where the Orach grows, at the landward threshold
of salt air, salt spray but where salted waters
rarely stray
All poems published in within easy reach, (Chapel Street Editions, 2016).
Used with permission of the author.
Critical Analysis: The Duality of Nature in "desperate harvest", "where the orach grows", and "poisonous"
Kathleen Pond (ACPA Managing Editor, 2017)
Several of Jane Tims’ poems from her collection within easy reach (2016) speak to the duality of nature. Three poems that stand out in this regard are “desperate harvest”, “where the orach grows”, and “poisonous”.
“desperate harvest” describes the Wild Calla plant, a poisonous plant found in wet environments. Wild Calla causes severe irritation – burns – to the skin it comes in contact with, particularly to the mouth and throat if consumed. Despite this, the Wild Calla plants “entice the desperate” – due to a desperation for food in times of famine, Scandinavian people were willing to “wade in mire” to forage and to risk the poisonous nature of the plant for something to eat. For if prepared correctly, a portion of the root of Wild Calla can be made into flour which is used in the making of Missen bread.
The duality of the Wild Calla, as depicted in Tims’ poem, extends to many other parts of nature as well. For instance, nature causes famine through failed crops, but it also provides alternative sources of sustenance, such as the Wild Calla. As well, some of the most beautiful or most colourful creatures in the animal kingdom can be some of the most deadly or the most poisonous.
“where the orach grows” provides us with another great example of the duality of nature – the ocean. The poem speaks about the various edible plants that can be found near the ocean, calling them “delicacies from the strand”. Yet the poem also warns about the dangers of the sea:
Choose the place to stand –
twelve hours to know if you have stepped
too far, at least to wet your thighs and wrists
at most to comprehend where ocean can drown you
carry you away
This poem shows us both sides of the ocean’s coin. On one hand, the ocean can sweep you away and drown you if you go too deep. On the other, it provides a habitat for animals and edible plants that can be beneficial to our survival.
Similar to “desperate harvest”, the poem “poisonous” describes poisonous plants. White Baneberry and Bluebead Lily feature in this poem, each with their own unique and visually attractive berries. White Baneberry produces white berries that have a black spot on them – earning the nickname “Doll’s Eyes” – while Bluebead Lily is described as having berries that are an unnatural shade of metallic blue. While the appearance of each plant’s berries draws you in, it is a case of “guile disguised as gift”, as both plants are “glossed in the margins/of the Guidebook/with crossbones and skull”.
These three poems written by Jane Tims reveal to us the double-sided coin of nature, and all of the facets within that contain their own duality. Some may be like the Wild Calla – poisonous, but also in possession of some helpful or beneficial element. While others may be like the ocean, or the plants described in “poisonous” – beautiful, but deadly.
Works Cited (for analysis):
Tims, Jane S. Within Easy Reach. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2016.
Several of Jane Tims’ poems from her collection within easy reach (2016) speak to the duality of nature. Three poems that stand out in this regard are “desperate harvest”, “where the orach grows”, and “poisonous”.
“desperate harvest” describes the Wild Calla plant, a poisonous plant found in wet environments. Wild Calla causes severe irritation – burns – to the skin it comes in contact with, particularly to the mouth and throat if consumed. Despite this, the Wild Calla plants “entice the desperate” – due to a desperation for food in times of famine, Scandinavian people were willing to “wade in mire” to forage and to risk the poisonous nature of the plant for something to eat. For if prepared correctly, a portion of the root of Wild Calla can be made into flour which is used in the making of Missen bread.
The duality of the Wild Calla, as depicted in Tims’ poem, extends to many other parts of nature as well. For instance, nature causes famine through failed crops, but it also provides alternative sources of sustenance, such as the Wild Calla. As well, some of the most beautiful or most colourful creatures in the animal kingdom can be some of the most deadly or the most poisonous.
“where the orach grows” provides us with another great example of the duality of nature – the ocean. The poem speaks about the various edible plants that can be found near the ocean, calling them “delicacies from the strand”. Yet the poem also warns about the dangers of the sea:
Choose the place to stand –
twelve hours to know if you have stepped
too far, at least to wet your thighs and wrists
at most to comprehend where ocean can drown you
carry you away
This poem shows us both sides of the ocean’s coin. On one hand, the ocean can sweep you away and drown you if you go too deep. On the other, it provides a habitat for animals and edible plants that can be beneficial to our survival.
Similar to “desperate harvest”, the poem “poisonous” describes poisonous plants. White Baneberry and Bluebead Lily feature in this poem, each with their own unique and visually attractive berries. White Baneberry produces white berries that have a black spot on them – earning the nickname “Doll’s Eyes” – while Bluebead Lily is described as having berries that are an unnatural shade of metallic blue. While the appearance of each plant’s berries draws you in, it is a case of “guile disguised as gift”, as both plants are “glossed in the margins/of the Guidebook/with crossbones and skull”.
These three poems written by Jane Tims reveal to us the double-sided coin of nature, and all of the facets within that contain their own duality. Some may be like the Wild Calla – poisonous, but also in possession of some helpful or beneficial element. While others may be like the ocean, or the plants described in “poisonous” – beautiful, but deadly.
Works Cited (for analysis):
Tims, Jane S. Within Easy Reach. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2016.
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Tims, Alexandra. Meniscus: Crossing the Churn. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
---. Meniscus: Encounter with the Emenpod. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2020.
---. Meniscus: Karst Topography. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: One Point Five; Forty Missing Days. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: Oral Traditions. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2019.
---. Meniscus: South from Sintha. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
---. Meniscus: The Knife. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2020.
---. Meniscus: The Village at Themble Hill. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: Winter by the Water-climb. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
Tims, Jane S. "Almost." Dalhousie Review. 94.3 (2014).
---. "Appetites." Antigonish Review. (1994): 97.
---. "Beaked Hazelnuts." Prism International. 51.2 (2014): 37.
---. "Campfire in Winter." Dalhousie Review. 91.2 (2011).
---. "Christmas on the marsh." Atlantic Advocate. Dec. 1990: 15. Canadian Periodicals Index Quarterly.
---. "Coltsfoot." Antigonish Review. (1994): 76-77.
---. "Cornrows." Antigonish Review. 2013.173 (2013).
---. "Drinks on the Patio." The Pottersfield Portfolio Spring 1997: 83. ProQuest.
---. "Dyeing Wool with Alder Bark." Fiddlehead. (2015): 56.
---. "The Gazing Ball." Fiddlehead. (1998): 146-147.
---. "Grim Women." Women & Environments International Magazine. 2011 (2011).
---. "Her Eyes Follow Me." Antigonish Review. (1997): 59-61.
---. How Her Garden Grew. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2019.
---. in the shelter of the covered bridge. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2017.
---. "Newfall: Words Escape Me." Fiddlehead. (1998): 147-148.
---. "Old Man's Beard." Fiddlehead. (1994): 38-39.
---. "Parting the Collection." Antigonish Review. (1993): 133-134.
---. "Pearly Everlasting." Antigonish Review. (1994): 74-75.
---. "Queen Anne’s Lace." Antigonish Review. (1994): 80-81.
---. "Star-Flower." Antigonish Review. (1994): 78-79.
---. "The Three Fates, Spinning." Antigonish Review. 2011.165 (2011).
---. "Three Women, Hurrying." Women & Environments International Magazine. 2011 (2011).
---. "Threshold." The Pottersfield Portfolio Spring 1997: 81-2. ProQuest.
---. Within Easy Reach. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2016.
---. "Yellow Rattle" Fiddlehead. (1994): 40.
Tims, Alexandra. Meniscus: Crossing the Churn. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
---. Meniscus: Encounter with the Emenpod. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2020.
---. Meniscus: Karst Topography. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: One Point Five; Forty Missing Days. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: Oral Traditions. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2019.
---. Meniscus: South from Sintha. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
---. Meniscus: The Knife. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2020.
---. Meniscus: The Village at Themble Hill. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2018.
---. Meniscus: Winter by the Water-climb. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2017.
Tims, Jane S. "Almost." Dalhousie Review. 94.3 (2014).
---. "Appetites." Antigonish Review. (1994): 97.
---. "Beaked Hazelnuts." Prism International. 51.2 (2014): 37.
---. "Campfire in Winter." Dalhousie Review. 91.2 (2011).
---. "Christmas on the marsh." Atlantic Advocate. Dec. 1990: 15. Canadian Periodicals Index Quarterly.
---. "Coltsfoot." Antigonish Review. (1994): 76-77.
---. "Cornrows." Antigonish Review. 2013.173 (2013).
---. "Drinks on the Patio." The Pottersfield Portfolio Spring 1997: 83. ProQuest.
---. "Dyeing Wool with Alder Bark." Fiddlehead. (2015): 56.
---. "The Gazing Ball." Fiddlehead. (1998): 146-147.
---. "Grim Women." Women & Environments International Magazine. 2011 (2011).
---. "Her Eyes Follow Me." Antigonish Review. (1997): 59-61.
---. How Her Garden Grew. Fredericton: CreateSpace, 2019.
---. in the shelter of the covered bridge. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2017.
---. "Newfall: Words Escape Me." Fiddlehead. (1998): 147-148.
---. "Old Man's Beard." Fiddlehead. (1994): 38-39.
---. "Parting the Collection." Antigonish Review. (1993): 133-134.
---. "Pearly Everlasting." Antigonish Review. (1994): 74-75.
---. "Queen Anne’s Lace." Antigonish Review. (1994): 80-81.
---. "Star-Flower." Antigonish Review. (1994): 78-79.
---. "The Three Fates, Spinning." Antigonish Review. 2011.165 (2011).
---. "Three Women, Hurrying." Women & Environments International Magazine. 2011 (2011).
---. "Threshold." The Pottersfield Portfolio Spring 1997: 81-2. ProQuest.
---. Within Easy Reach. Woodstock: Chapel Street Editions, 2016.
---. "Yellow Rattle" Fiddlehead. (1994): 40.
