Young People’s Press, December 2004
by Michelle Cinelli
Poetry fans and analytical minds listen up! Sandra Alland’s first full-length book of poetry has arrived. Proof of a Tongue is a collection of sophisticated, free verse poetry about everything from love to war. Having written for numerous anthologies and with four short poetry books of her own published in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Spain, this poet is climbing to the top one stanza at a time. Proof of a Tongue is Alland’s analysis of the world and issues such as sickness, death and relationships put together in a snazzy little package. In "Flow," Alland compares her mind to an ocean ("everything thrown in always washes up."). Some of these complex thoughts present a challenge in the understanding department, but there’s a rhythm to the words that makes it all still enjoyable.