These poems each have a set of guided questions, related videos that allow for deeper investigation, and suggested writing activities. We'll be adding more poems here soon! 1992 Sometimes a scent or a site or a taste can sweep you up into the past. This finely honed narrative poem knows what that’s like. But I’m No One But I’m No one is a reflection on our tendency to fear death and the manifestation of this fear through uncanny beliefs. grass In his short, funny poem, Ward Maxwell asks us to step on the grass, saying “it deserves it.” But isn’t that the point of grass? Modestine A woman writes a tender poem about her dad’s struggle with dementia. Editing the Prairie If the prairie was a written story, imagine the rejection letter it might get! Sonoma A dreamlike sense of the uncanny hangs over this poem of an encounter on a coastal highway. The Tyger In the woods at night, the speaker talks to a magical animal… Passing into Storm Through an objective lens, this poem, which could be a trailer for a horror movie, describes a white man deliberately walking into a snow storm. To what end? My Grandmother Washes Her Feet in the Sink of the Bathroom at Sears A clash of cultures in a department store bathroom showcases pride and power in the towns matrons as well as the space in the middle where the speaker lives Two Words: A Wedding bpNichol presents life as a river of ever-changing words and asks us to step in. The Powwow at the End of the World Sherman Alexie slams the environmental destruction of settler-colonialism as we travel on an upstream course towards the powwow at the end of the world. World Town Layers of memory paint a moving, vibrant portrait of one man’s time spent in a seaside town with his father. fluorine Rita Wong uncovers the poisons in everyday life to teach us about our relationship to the natural world. Community Garden Seeking to escape internet trolls the speaker turns her eye to the garden The Blue Guitar In this glosa poem, P.K. Page strums out questions about being an artist and telling the truth. The Dead This sonnet considers the fragmented, elusive way the dead resurface in our lives. Declaration of Intent Rita Wong invokes the "sacred bond" of water in this poem that invites us to learn from watersheds, and to act in their defense. The Bull Moose A moose's final, tortured moments unfold in a series of brutal images. The Days of the Unicorns Phyllis Webb beautifully writes an ode to the majestic unicorn. “Breathe dust…” Nearly punctuation-free, this is a breathless journey through memories of a youth spent in rural Canada. The Problem With Being a Box Too Small for Its Contents Misch expounds the unbearable work needed after a breakup: to separate from your lost love and “rejoin yourselves…even when you don’t want to.” Reluctance Even after you’ve jumped all the fences, climbed all the hills, and looked at the world, it can be hard to accept how you feel… Pale Blue Cover In this nostalgic poem, the speaker reminisces about the author Matt Cohen. Chemo Side Effects: Memory The stop-start, grasping form of this poem mirrors the speaker's struggle to reconcile herself with one of the side effects of cancer treatment. aubade for the BPD subreddit user who wrote can people with BPD love? The stunningly cruel comments of an internet forum reverberate throughout a sleepless night Sweet Like a Crow This tumbling, outrageous list poem is a backhanded ode to a child’s less-than-melodious singing voice. Other In Other, Livesay breaks free of patriarchy’s hold and ventures into landscapes of mountain, cedar forests, night skies, and the fierce interior of her spirit. Thou Poem A poet reveals the happiest and unhappiest parts of their poetry – in conversation with a poem. World Town Layers of memory paint a moving, vibrant portrait of one man’s time spent in a seaside town with his father. Where There’s a Wall Both beauty and violence are just on the other side of the wall. How Not to Spill Do you hold your hands shut, or do you let everything spill out? Fast Commute Laurie Graham weathers an incongruous ice storm in this poem-excerpt that asks us to pause and understand that we are present here, “and with this understanding to start to hear.” The Bull Moose A moose's final, tortured moments unfold in a series of brutal images. Dear Updike Evelyn Lau powerfully describes the world around her in order to grieve the loss of a beloved writer. A Stone Diary A love poem to a stone takes on deeper, rockier meanings. I Am The speaker longs to escape himself and to find freedom from within and without From One and Half of You Trying on traditional clothing and finding how it fits. Or not. Money A museum coin collection prompts a reflection on the captivating nature of currency. Marshlands Quietly pause to take in the colours and sounds of a marsh. fluorine Rita Wong uncovers the poisons in everyday life to teach us about our relationship to the natural world. Pagination « First First page ‹ Previous Previous page 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next › Next page Last » Last page Language English