A Room Of My Own

Poetry is making a long overdue comeback, even if it is only in my life, my eyes, my important circle in this world. And, I choose to include the poetry of Lorna Crozier in that circle. Her recent book The Blue Hour of the Day rests on my bedside table and has been of great comfort and inspiration to me since Christmas when I received it as a gift. The gift of poetry. The power of poetry. If I could send Lorna Crozier a message it would be that I value her poetry. She once wrote in ‘ Who’s Listening ?’ published in the NeWest Review in February/March 1989 that even she needs “to be reminded that poetry somewhere has value” and she adds “I write in case someone, anyone, is listening.” Lorna, we are listening and reading and singing too. Last night during the Music on Main at the Cellar Jazz Club & Restaurant in Vancouver B.C., poems from The Sex Lives of Vegetables by Crozier were set to music and performed by Leslie Uyeda. This is just one of the unique ways Lorna has inspired us

Listening to the Vinyl Café on Sunday, I was full of nostalgia. Stewart McLean and the gang were performing live in Smithers, a small town in north western BC about 5 hours from my home in Prince Rupert; then. (then being about seven years ago). I have been hearing great things as of late from this little town and it is nothing short of inspirational; to begin with, the drive from Smithers to Prince Rupert is the most beautiful stretch of highway in all of Canada to paraphrase Stewart McLean. Further, there is the sensational Alex Cuba ; I encourage you to explore him! Finally, we have Ali Howard! Ali, a 33 year old Smithers resident, is about to venture on a trip to remember. She is swimming the entire length of the Skeena River (610 km) starting at the Sacred Headwaters and finishing in the Pacific Ocean. This swim personifies the annual migration swim of the Skeena Wild Salmon. Ali, a professional chef at The Cliffs at Kispiox River – Bear Claw Lodge ,was inspired by friends and

It is not official, but the Conservative government has been mumbling about cutting funding to all magazines under 5000 circulation. I personally think that is worth kicking up a fuss about. Current editor of The Malahat Review, an Arts and Literary magazine put out by the University of Victoria is making noise and has started a Facebook group which I strongly encourage you to join and support. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53103444468&ref=mf Further reading on this issue can be found at a fellow blog Biblioasis which is “a publishing house committed to the best fiction, poetry, criticism and non-fiction in beautiful editions”. http://biblioasis.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-peril.html Keep reading, writing, painting or whatever art genre you love! Places for Writers is a great online list of places to start submitting! http://www.placesforwriters.com/

This past Sunday, I attended the International Women’s Day Wall of Words in Bloomfield, Ontario. On this unseasonably warm and beautiful day, the town hall was bursting with guests in unexpected numbers. Women of all ages, and men too, came out to celebrate Women’s Day. The theme at this particular event was Heal Mother Earth. International Women’s Day is a reminder that we must continue to work together and understand those issues effecting women today. This day directly precedes National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10th which challenges us all to be inspired, but furthermore, to follow through with action. That brings me to a couple of ladies who are doing just that. They are Karyn of The Fabulous Giver and Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie and they are ‘Rocking the Red Pump’. Check it out… http://theredpumpproject.blogspot.com/ In closing I leave you with a commanding quote spoken by Roz at the Wall of Words that resonated that day; We are not afraid of our ignorance.

Internationally, March has been declared Women’s History Month highlighting women’s achievements, roles and contributions in the effort towards equality between women and men worldwide. The Status of Women Canada announced the theme for 2009 as ‘Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World. Equality.’ See the web page here, http://www.cfc-swc.gc.ca/dates/iwd-jif/index-eng.html It is equally important for men to be involved in the celebration of the women in their lives and to recognize these women for the equal partners they are. I am proud to be raising four very strong, independent daughters who are clearly leaders of their generation. Over the years, they have been exposed to many powerful and passionate female role models ranging from school principals to reverends, and most importantly, mothers. I do include myself here, but the list is long in our family of strong independent matriarchs that struggle for the life they want while remaining the nurturing mother too. As a Canadian

I, Mother Earth Cradle thee tenderly Offer up my breast Feeding naturally I, Mother Earth Raise thee up high Open thy mouth Release thy cry I, Mother Earth Bounty give to thee Embrace my gift Engorge and set free I, Mother Earth Innate and free Hold in my womb Dominion of fertility With love Janet