Lise Downe's metalwork
a stretch of wire predestined
into twelve unbroken parts a hole
in limitless release a broken
stool not waned
or waxed the bleed of increase
a damp cloth excised a solitary wash
jeweled roses, pure the screen
the slightest sound explains
a bargain sense the burning soil
burnished, cleft hook & a hole
in white the threaded forum
hush of calm, inhales
dust & shavings, heat marks
invisible to the touch a stone
& then another stone two birds
a harness in her gold mosaics
& thrill
of boat unnoticed in the calm
someone understands trees
Artie Gold’s allergies
allergic to everything, scent
of dander in, from pets
to printed matter
, oxygen
& solitude, fifteen years
his only study
his bodys boundaries, air
& living threshold
perhaps a line, perhaps
a poem, sometimes
a postcard through the mail
some drafts
are never final
like spicer, has no problem w/
the open end
Robin Hannah's grandfather
though days have blurred to nights,
on his christmas card knee
when he was still prime minister
& she was five years old
his stories of the lord elgin hotel in ottawa
& the socialite elizabeth smart
when she was still eighteen
before anything; her new york nights,
toronto days, a chain
that bound her
days turn into night, turn in
to other nights, carrying every night
a cigarette, a shabby mast
absorbing light
robins dictionary of cats & solitude,
& poems safe in jars
when the peace of something finally done,
old mike, sleeps wakefield breath
as days turn into other days,
she visits, ear held keeping
to his sleepy ground
a sink between them
rob mclennan lives in Ottawa, even though he was born there. The author of twelve trade collections of poetry, most recently name , an errant (Stride, 2006) & aubade (Broken Jaw Press, 2006), he is currently working on a number of projects including a non-fiction book for Arsenal Pulp Press, Ottawa: The Unknown City (2007); a poetry collection, The Ottawa City Project; & finishing a novel, Missing Persons. He often writes, reviews & rants on his clever blog – robmclennan.blogspot.com.