Laing is an accomplished poet from Canada, and for two good reasons: because she reflects he emotions beautifully through her art, and because her book is a summary of the best and worse of her life. Practically all her work portrays a strong and exceptional woman. “Prose from Within” echoes all her heart aches and triumphs in verse. Her more ambitious poems borrow their ideas, their satire or sentiment, their form even, from a tortured soul and gloating mother. Laing may not as yet be regarded for her work, as she is still in the entrance of her career. Still struggling to get recognition and give her works final expression as an award-winning poet.

Life

the life of Laing is one to discourage a biographer who does not relish the alternative of either concealing the facts or apologizing for his subject. We shall record here a few personal matters, which may help us to understand Laing’s poetry.

Perhaps the most potent influence in her life was her older brother Leonard. She was born in a small town in Orillia; Laing comes from a large family, being the last of eight. In Canada

Her father was a poor alcoholic, and hard working man, As her Mother took on three jobs to support her large family labored unceasingly to earn a living to help increase a welfare’s income. The children went barefoot in all seasons, almost from the time they could walk they were expected to help with the family housework. Her only fashion was the ones that came from strangers and altered to fit her family’s needs. Laing was moved to Newfoundland at the age of three months as the family farmhouse burnt down. The family moved back to Ontario soon after with help and support from family, Although Laing’s mother took ill when Laing was just a year old and placed into a foster home. Her father felt he was not equipped to care for his large family himself. Laing started writing at the early age of seven and continued to write until she was able to finally publish her first book. As an attempt to escape dire poverty that her own family was facing. At the young age of seventeen Laing had her first child and tem months later had number two, in which was given up for adoption two weeks later. As a year later she was pregnant again forcing her to have an abortion, yet becoming pregnant once again soon after. Being a young mother at 18 she found it extremely difficult having no support from her own family network, she planned to have the (C.A.S.), Children’s aide society come to take her two young children for a while. At the time things got harder as she has neglected to tell the babysitter of this event as he turned the society away? Thinking the children was in the care of the society Laing spent the next few days at friends distraught about her decision. That when she returned home Laing faced her worst fears. The fathers side of the family who turned her down the night she called (C.A.S), now had her children and would not allow her to have them back. Being uneducated and unaware of her parental rights she did not fight, which haunted her for years. This is just a glimpse of what inspired her new work.

Evil Elements

the evil element in Laing’s life may be only suggested. It leads first to the tavern, to roistering and desperation, to entanglements in abusive love affairs; then swiftly to the loss of a splendid poetic gift, to hopeless debts, to degrading poverty. Laing had her chance, if ever a poet had it, after the publications of her first book (Prose from Within 2006). An attempt to edit her poems essential became the low point of the proceeds, discouraging one who would enjoy the reading.

There is another element, often emphasized for its alleged influence on Laing’s poetry. During her lifetime and was shaken by the absence of her children, in which: the eldest became back into her life with full hatred. Just as her third child had become after allowing her to move in with her, not being able to support Laing” third child at age 18, she become resentful that Laing could not be a proper mother if she wasn’t willing to support her financially.

Her second child had no indifference either way, which also causes a bit of heartache.

Laing was Married in 1996 to another man and had two more Children. She is now divorced after a short seven year marriage.

The Songs of Laing

From such an analysis of Laing’s life one may forecast her subject and her method. Living intensely on a small income, she must discover that there are just two poetic subjects of abiding interest. These are Nature and Humanity, and of these Laing must write from first-hand knowledge, simply, straightforwardly, and with sincerity. Moreover, as Laing lives in an intense way, reading herself rather than books, she must discover that the ordinary man is more swayed by strong feeling than by logical reasons. She will write, therefore, of the common emotions that lie between the extremes of laughter and tears, and her appeal will be to the heart rather than to the head of his reader.

This emotional power of Laing’s, masterful touch upon human heartstrings, is the first of her poetic qualities; and she has others in the wings, which fairly force themselves upon the attention of the publishing world. For example, many of her poems can be found on the Internet. Here are just a few of Laing reviews

Reader
T. B
USA (7/29/2006)

Impressive
an admirer
Canada (4/1/2006)

Relative Anonymous
Canada (3/12/2006)

Sympathy is another marked characteristic of Laing, a wide, all-embracing sympathy that knows no limit save for hypocrites, at whom she pointed her emotional satire. She wrote an award winning poem while watching hijackers on the news, and waiting in the storm for officers to come and make an arrest.] With (name of poem)

Awards and Merits Given

1988- Golden Poet Award for (Our Children are our future)

1990- Golden Poet Award for (Those in need)

1990- Award of Merit for (those in need)

1990- Award of Merit for (Take things easy)

1990- Anthology of a poet (Our Children are our future)

1994- Silver Poet Award for (Beauty)

1994-Anthology in Verse

1995-Silver Poet Award for (This Season)

1997- Bronze Commemorative for (The Road)

1997-Peoples Choice Award for (One day)

1997-Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement (Our Times)

1997- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement (Just be you)

1998-Enducted into the International Poetry Hall of Fame

1998- Anthology of Great

2000-Bronze Commemorative Award for (the Angel)

2000-Silver Cup Award for (A part of Heaven)

2001- Commemorative plaque for (My petals)

2001- Silver Cup Award for (My Petals)

2001- Bronze Metal for (This Job)

2002- Peoples Choice Award for (Love is a critical part)

2003- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (Tender Loving)

2003- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (My treasure)

2003- Peoples Choice Award for (Standing Alone)

2005- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (Gods creatures)

2006- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (If I could choose you)

2007-Ambassador Award for (Outstanding Achievement)

2007- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (To those I Love)

2007- U.K. Library literary Achievement for (Prose from Within)

2008- Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement for (Give me my Due)