Nature poet—in a time of environmental crisis—reads in Charlottetown
He has often been called Canada's finest living English-language poet. No, not Leonard Cohen. And you won't spot Don McKay garbed in urban black; rather, in a parka, watch cap or khaki fedora, and hiking boots on a headland trail on the Newfoundland coast. But Don McKay's poetic music, imagery, and metaphors are every bit as luxuriant, unique, and memorable as Cohen's, and his insights into the natural world and human mind and spirit are spellbinding. He has mastered the art of writing poetry that is both clearly accessible and exquisitely crafted, that seamlessly blends elegant and everyday language.
Don McKay, birdwatcher, rockhound, baseball aficionado, warm and generous human being, and poet extraordinaire, will read from his works at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on Monday, March 12, at 7:30 pm as part of the UPEI Winter's Tales Authors Reading Series.
As a poet, essayist, and teacher, McKay has been a primary inspiration in Canada for what is loosely called 'eco-poetics.' For those who love nature poetry, his writing is essential reading. Moreover, though nature is omnipresent in his writing, human experience is rarely absent. His poetry doesn't rely on blatant environmentalist 'messages.' Instead, he gracefully reveals his own and others' experience of the natural world, from the wilderness to the city and suburb, even in a Canadian Tire store! Through his poems, we experience the natural world on its own terms, apart from the impact of civilization. Often, he shows us the interaction of nature and our human needs, tools and striving, euphoria and discontents. McKay sees his writing as 'nature poetry in a time of environmental crisis.'
Born in Owen Sound, Ontario, and raised in Cornwall, McKay taught creative writing and English for nearly three decades, including at the University of Western Ontario and the University of New Brunswick. He has published 12 books of poetry, won the Governor General's Award for Poetry twice, and won the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2006. His influence on Canadian poetry includes his roles as co founder of Brick Books, one of Canada's leading poetry presses, editor of the literary journal The Fiddlehead, and associate director for poetry at the Banff Centre for the Arts Writing Studio. He has also edited many books by fellow poets.
In 2008, McKay was made a Member of the Order of Canada, and now lives in St. John's, Newfoundland. His reading is co-hosted by the UPEI English Department and the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. Admission is free. A book signing and reception will follow.
