Teeth by Dallas Hunt is a powerful collection of poems that explore the complex mix of grief and joy, darkness and light, hopelessness and hope. Hunt’s writing is unfiltered and direct, yet full of compassion. His words reflect both personal and collective struggles in a way that feels raw but deeply caring.

What stands out most in Teeth is Hunt’s ability to make “the unbearable feel light.” He weaves humor into his poems without mocking the pain or lessening its impact. Instead, the humor allows us to sit with the heavy emotions without being overwhelmed by them. It’s a way to survive the tough moments, not avoid them.

Throughout the collection, Hunt offers striking reflections. Lines like “trying to find solace in harmful places” and “love saves and destroys us all the time” linger long after reading. His statement that “we are not a bundle of mistakes” reminds us to be gentle with ourselves, while “self-pity helps no one” brings a hard truth that is necessary to hear.

At its heart, Teeth is about searching for peace and belonging. One of Hunt’s most beautiful lines speaks of “the hope to find an ocean nested in shoulders—to reside there when the tidal waves come.” This vivid image captures the need to find comfort within ourselves during life’s storms. In the line “love names the ruin,” Hunt reminds us that love has the power to both break and heal us.

Teeth is a reflection on survival, pain, and resilience. Hunt doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, but his work is always rooted in hope. His straightforward style allows his words to carry their full weight without distraction. With both humor and heart, Hunt shows us that even in the unbearable, there is light.

Dallas Hunt is Cree and a member of Wapsewsipi (Swan River First Nation) in Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta. His creative work is published in Contemporary Verse 2, Prairie Fire, PRISM international, and Arc Poetry. His first collection of poetry, Creeland, was published by Nightwood Editions in 2021. His newest poetry collection, Teeth, also published by Nightwood, is out now. Hunt is an assistant professor of Indigenous literatures at UBC. 

Hunt appears in the Literary Cabaret at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Tickets are on sale now. 

Review is by Anna Mrozik. Mrozik, a mother, wife, and friend, is a certified life coach, dance enthusiast, and business professional. With over two decades of corporate experience across several countries, including Poland, Germany, the USA, and Canada, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the Whistler Writing Society board. Mrozik’s passion for personal growth inspires her work, from writing a life-coaching blog to exploring the transformative power of dance through 5Rhythms® Teacher Training. Her dedication to nurturing creativity within the literary community is fueled by her love for diverse cultures, languages, and the written word.