My New Book

My new book, “The Risks of Remembrance: new poems” (Words Indeed Publishing) was released in August and was warmly welcomed at two book signings on Manitoulin Island, one at Edwards’ Studios and Gallery in Kagawong on August 14, and a second at The Southbay Gallery in Southbaymouth the next day. Both galleries, and all the retail outlets on the island that stock books, are carrying Risks, as well as my other two books, “Shadows Light, poetry and sculpture“, and “My Grandmother’s Hair“, a social memoir about how our family stories shape our lives and make our memories. The travails of the publication process are receding as satisfaction with the result moves in.

Next up is the Toronto launch at the Toronto Heliconian Club on November 2 at at 7.00 p.m. All are welcome to come and meet Jane Burns whose paintings (with a few of my sculptures) illuminate the poems, photographer Karen Hendrick who took the flattering head shot and Mary Kicic who designed a great cover, using one of my late sister Jane Champagne’s paintings, and John Parry, publisher.

Coffee, tea, wine (in real glasses) and tasty nibbles will be served along with a minimum of speechifying, and a brief reading

Here’s a taste. The opening poem, “Now”, is a poetic summary of the themes you will meet in the book.

Now

water pulls back from shore
stories
bared in the sun

a look in your eyes
stirs
my grumbling gut

look-alike houses coloured doors mingled yarns

myriad women
linked
in the sound of speaking

water rolls up the shore
swirled rents open
to a common shoreline

voices sing in the wind around islands