The European Constitution in Verse

Recently, I was one of several poets who helped translate this international, multilingual project into its English version.

Originally conceived of and edited by Belgian poets David van Reybrouck and Peter Vermeersch (who may or may not be related to me. I actually have no idea. Peter, if you're reading this, please get in touch!) of The Brussels Poetry Collective, The European Constitution in Verse is authored by poets from across the E.U. in a variety of European languages, and published by Belgium's Passa Porta, a group that organizes literary festivals and publishes and promotes books, much like the Literaturwerkstatt in Berlin (as far as I know, there is nothing quite like it Canada.... and there certainly should be).

Here is what the editors have to say about their creation:

'If the EU is not to be given a political constitution, at least give it a poetical one.’ The European Constitution in Verse: a long poem in which enthusiasm for Europe is tempered by a critical view, the grand gesture rubs up against poetic intimacy and the necessary seriousness is counterbalanced by a satirical note.

The Brussels Poetry Collective started the ball rolling. The famous Geert Van Istendael, the Galician eurocrat Xavier Queipo, the rapper Manza and the French-speaking performance poet Laurence Vielle wrote an inspired basic text. At least forty other European poets – at least one from each European country – then set to work. David Van Reybrouck and Peter Vermeersch remixed the whole lot to form an alternative European Constitution.

This project is more than just a frivolous reworking of a political fiasco. The poetic constitution puts the debate on the fundamental principles of Europe where it belongs: among the free citizens concerned.

The project in available in Europe in book form, but you can read the entire text -- in English, French, Dutch, or in its original multilingual version -- online. It's an impressive undertaking, and I urge you to spend some time taking it in.

New on my bookshelf

Word Comix by Charlie Smith.

Charlie Smith's poetry kicks ass. The author of Heroin and Other Poems and Women in America has a new book, and that's reason to celebrate in ways that might make your neighbours call the cops.













Late Nights with Wild Cowboys by Johanna Skibsrud.

An extraordinary debut by a someone who very probably has the skill and talent to become one of this country's major poets. I'm eager for more of her work, especially after seeing her read at Harbourfront not too long ago.












Verses and Versions: Three Hundred Years of Russian Poetry Selected and Translated by Vladimir Nabokov.

This book's a feast of genius. Russian originals with Nabokov's translations on facing pages. A must.

New on my bookshelf

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to update the new acquisitions for my bookshelf, but now that I have a moment to play catch up, here are some of the new books I've been enjoying lately.


Inseminating the Elephant by Lucia Perillo.

Perillo is one of my very favourite poets writing today, and this book is a wonderful treat. There are few writers who combine humour and seriousness of purpose and technique and talent so well and make it look so effortless.

Check out her poem "Altered Beast" for a taste.









Pigeon by Karen Solie.

Solie isn't considered one of Canada's best poets for nothing, and here is further evidence that her accolades are well earned.

Read her poem "Tractor" for a taste.










Spectral Waves by Madeline DeFrees

Here is a poet I really didn't know much about, but when I first read DeFrees's poems "Broken Sleep" and "The Visionary Under The Knife" on Poetry Daily, I was instantly captivated, and I knew I had to order the book immediately. The book is simply marvellous, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work as soon as possible.










We Will Be Fish by JP King

I saw King read at Harbourfront a while back and bought his book for a steal at ten bucks. King is a surrealist with a light touch, and the book comes complete with collage illustrations. The work, both poetical and visual, reminds me quite a lot of Ludwig Zeller, if not in temperament then certainly in style.









God of Missed Connections by Elizabeth Bachinsky

I enjoyed Bachinsky's last collection so much, I'm glad to have this book now. I've just started reading it, and so far it lives up to her reputation, which in case you don't know is stellar.










The Hayflick Limit by Matthew Tierney

Matt Tierney's first collection was published in 2004, so we've been waiting five years for his second. Over those years, I tried (unsuccessfully, on a couple of occasions) to persuade Tierney to send an earlier version of his manuscript to me at Insomniac Press. In the end, Coach House Books prevailed, but no matter. It's a good fit for Tierney, and what's most important is that the book is finally here for us to enjoy.

I write about Patrick Woodcock on the Globe & Mail blog

I had the chance to write some commentary to accompany a wonderful poem called "Swimming with Pink Dolphins and My Dead Mother" by Patrick Woodcock in the Globe and Mail book blog today. Here's a sample:

On one particular journey up the Amazon, Woodcock encountered a pod of pink dolphins (as well as learning the local legends and lore surrounding same: The dolphins, according to the inhabitants, actually represent the reincarnated souls of recently departed loved ones). Still alive to the memories of his deeply missed mother, Woodcock took comfort and solace in the stories which inspired this simply stunning poem...

Read the full commentary and Woodcock's poem here.

Patrick Woodcock is coming home to launch a new collection!

Always Die Before Your Mother
by Patrick Woodcock

Book Launch Details

Tuesday, May 12, 2009,

7:00pm

Where: Supermarket

268 Augusta Avenue

Toronto

My poem "Ape" (part one) is on the Globe & Mail blog today.

My poem "Ape" (part one) -- along with some very kind words from Judith Fitzgerald and commentary by Jacob McArthur Mooney -- is on the Globe & Mail blog today. It's dedicated to Koko the gorilla. I hope you enjoy it. Here it is.

PS. You can visit Koko online at The Gorilla Foundation/Koko.org.

I'm on 30 in 30 today!

I'm today's feature on Seen Reading's 30 in 30 project for national poetry month. You can hear me read my poem "The Difficulty of Forgiving Summer" from my book Between the Walls.

Be sure to check out the other poets in this program as well, including Griffin Prize nominees Kevin Connolly and Jeramy Dodds among many others.

My Griffin Prize Round-up in the Globe and Mail

In today's Globe and Mail, I review the three Canadian books nominated for this year's Griffin Poetry Prize. Here are a few words from the review:


Crabwise to the Hounds, by Jeramy Dodds, Coach House, 70 pages, $16.95

...his poems resonate physically with cunningly crafted language while they successfully amuse the intellect. He balances form, content, entertainment and ingenuity without giving any indication that any ingredient is more or less important than the others.

Revolver, by Kevin Connolly, Anansi, 82 pages, $18.95

What astounds the reader is the virtuosity with which Connolly wields all the poetic tools at his disposal. And this artistic multiplicity is not some elaborate masquerade. Connolly isn't pretending to be 45 different kinds of poet. Here, he is 45 different kinds of poet, and each is the authentic Kevin Connolly.

The Sentinel, by A.F. Moritz, Anansi, 88 pages, $18.95

There is something reassuring in art of this calibre; it reminds us how things matter. Moritz's voice is unmistakable. His readers, his admiring peers and his reviewers have long felt this, but it has become so obvious that it must finally be said: A.F. Moritz is one of the true master poets of his generation.

Read the entire review here.