Understand yourself as a narrative

One of the powers of narrative is that it shows you that the world is invented. And that you can change the story because you are the story. I think that there’s a lot of power there. If you understand yourself as a narrative rather than as a list of facts, then you realize how [...]

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First kisses: a creative writing exercise

#1 One sweet day in autumn, the leaves crunched beneath our feet. I walked double-time to catch up with his longer legs. I wished I’d brought mittens; I wished he would hold my chilled hand; I hoped we wouldn’t run into one of my mum’s friends or something. Farther we went along the pathway into [...]

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Notebook Writings – Part 2

This is a day to celebrate being alive. Kick your legs up and grass stain your knees. Roll down a hill into your lover’s arms and eat crab apples from trees made for picking. Somewhere between the mall and the bus station, there is a patch of green, and this is where I sit. Flower [...]

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Exquisite Recommendation: Kazuo Ishiguro

My new favourite author is Japanese-British Kazuo Ishiguro. I read Never Let Me Go this summer, followed by a rather good film version of the same title, and I’ve just finished reading A Pale View of Hills. The latter is almost frustratingly abstract and odd, but such a lovely read that gives shivers at some [...]

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Bang Said the Gun

It also reminded me that no matter where I go, poetry is one of my homes – Megan Ann Ward Bang Said the Gun was my saving grace last time I was in London, a consistent source of entertainment, inspiration and camaraderie with my fellow bangers. And yes, the innuendos are endless. Affectionately referred to [...]

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VERSe Ottawa presents… (May)

MAY POETRY EVENTS In Ottawa, poetry is everywhere. Our city boasts 14 poetry series and attracts up to 1000 participants and audience members every month. VERSe Ottawa has compiled a list of some of the upcoming poetry events for May. Enjoy! LIPS Slam | CP Cinemas, 17 Albert Street in Carleton Place Monday, May 2 [...]

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VERSe Ottawa: Mike Blouin at Writers Festival

Since VERSeFest this past June, I had thought it would be a fun idea to cover all the poetry events that happen here in Ottawa. Not in ‘review’ format, exactly, but more like a sports ‘play-by-play’, just to let people know who is sharing their work at the poetry shows and what is new and [...]

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Where are the poets?

Where are the poets? Hiding between the pages of books Mumbling loose phrases on street corners Or wringing their hands behind the red curtain I find it funny that a poem has to ‘hold up’ on the page in order to be considered successful. Would you say the same thing for a musical composition or [...]

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The future of poetry in Ottawa

VERSeFest kicks off in ONE WEEK. Who’s excited???!!!

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Belarus poet Valzhyna Mort

Poetry in all forms has become my obsession these days. I especially love learning about powerful female voices that speak for their country with grace and elegance and some rather shocking imagery. Valzhyna Mort from Laura Hope-Gill on Vimeo.

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