Mermaid - Louise Morey Bowman

Louise Morey Bowman 1882–1944 is recognised as Canada's first imagist poet.

Mermaid

Fra Lippo Lippi's women had your breasts,
And your great curving forehead - but your ears
Are delicate crinkled shells God must have clapped
Upon a mermaid's head on either side
When he created her in deep sea-caves
Finishing with a lovely sea-green tail
But your white limbs are purely Eden made.

When your veined eyelids droop, then Lippi paints
Your portrait til you lift your gaze again.
Such eyes are far beyond Fra Lippi's power.
For Eve's were not so simple and profound
I think and Lilith's not so darkly grey.
Yours are the eyes that, in those green sea-caves,
Reproachful, stared at God, and at your tail.

Found this in a wartime anthology of Canadian Poetry (Pelican Books 1942); compiled by Ralph Gustafson it has some dreary fare indeed which I hope was at least comforting for soldiers, sailors and airmen thinking of home. The pages have almost disintegrated as it is on ration-quality paper. The book even has its old adverts.

This poem by Bowman stands out: although at first it seems cut from a swirly Browning cloth, it slips out of the Victorian Romantic stream into something quite different and arrestingly sensual. Hope you enjoy it.

Jan Zwicky tweet poetry

Jan Zwicky (born 1955) is a Canadian eco-political and anti-colonial philosopher, poet, essayist, and violinist.

This is an extract from Zwicky's poem Transit from her book Forge published by Gaspereau Press 2011.

More information on Zwicky can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Zwicky.

Afternoon Reading To Save The High Park Zoo Toronto, Canada 29th April 2012

An awesome literary zoo to help save the High Park Zoo ( and have a nice afternoon at the Cafe Novo). Readers include Myna Wallin, Karen Correia Da Silva, Royston Tester, Dayle Furlong, Sue Bowness, Karleen Pendleton Jimenez, Robin Akimbo, and Nyla Matuk

Find it from 1pm until 4pm at 1986 Bloor St W, ON M6P 3K9.

More information at http://www.facebook.com/events/291140177628028/.

They may have llamas or pictures of llamas or possibly guanacos or even vicuña. But we have no confirmation of that (there is just one on the poster).

The Griffin poetry prize shortlist 2012

This is the world’s largest prize for a first edition single collection of poetry written in English. ­The mouth-watering international and Canadian shortlist includes David Harsent, Jan Zwicky, Yusef Komunyakaaour and Sean O'Brien.

It aims to:

• spark the public’s imagination
• and raise awareness of the crucial role poetry plays in our cultural life.

Sounds good to us.

Here's Jan Zwicky's nominated book Forge - you may have to hunt around for it if you don't live in North America (and even there) but well worth the effort.

More information here http://www.griffinpoetryprize.com/awards-and-poets/shortlists/2012-shortlist/

Edmonton Poetry Festival, Canada, April 2012

Lots of good stuff starting April 22nd through to 29th. Poets include Dionne Brand, Greg Debicki (algorithmic sound artist) and Sally Ito to name only a very few.

Cool repeating events in Churchill Square most days poetry made on demand and make your mark in a concrete poetry session from 11.30am until 1pm.

You can find out more here http://www.edmontonpoetryfestival.com/.