Gaza: NOT in my name (Oxfam Canada petition)

 

Video link is live

JOIN US Dear Chris, With Parliament’s return, we made sure our elected officials hear us  loud and clear: Canada must take action to stop the genocide NOW! Over a hundred well-known Canadians, including artists, politicians, influencers, and directors of civil society organizations, joined us in  saying “Not in my name - we will not be bystanders, we do not  support Canada’s complicity in Israel’s war crimes”. Supporters like Sarah Polley, Maryam Monsef, Tatiana Maslany,  Dr. Yipeng Ge, Dan Mangan, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, and Rache l Gilmore flooded social media this week with their call to end the  genocide in Gaza, encouraging their networks and calling on  Canadians everywhere to write letters to Prime Minister Carney. Today, I’ll ask you to do three things: 1 – Like and share the campaign on Instagram, help spread  the word using #NotInMyName 2 – Sign our latest petition and get our letter right into Prime  Minister Carney’s inbox 3 – Join a Palestine solidarity event in your city  You’ve been with us every step of the way. Now – every minute  counts even more. Thank you for amplifying the Not In My Name campaign and joining  us in solidarity with Gaza.  Sincerely, Lauren Ravon Executive Director Oxfam Canada

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The Player & the Played: capitalist financialism (we're the played)

from Judy Haiven's newsletter - Judy and Larry Haiven were comrades in the Canadian Liberation Movement half a century ago opposing American control of Canada (sound familiar?) - they've passed their legacy to their son, Max.

The Player & the Played: attend or stream online on Tues. Sept. 16

SEP 15

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© 2025 Judy Haiven
Halifax, NS

Kent Bowman: Unlicensed Poem Catcher

In 2022 prolific poet and publisher Allan Briesmaster published Kent's final collection, Looking into the Fish Tank, with his Aeolus House Press. Kent was the most generous person I've ever met, and when Jim Christy and I had a double book launch in the village of Marmora, Kent showed up with his close friend Mick Burrs. Kent then treated the ragtag group of local poetry buffs to chef presented dinners at the Marmora Inn. I've lost count of just how many special dinners he hosted. After the readings, he entertained us with his music.   

Here are three of Kent's unadorned prose poems from the first section. I hope to post more of Kent's work as I slowly enjoy his "variety show" collection.   

 Unlicensed Poem Catcher

In this highly specialized age, I remain an unlicensed poem

catcher, leaving incomplete writings on scraps of paper that

will eventually morph into something resembling an interior

landscape of my mind.

Unlike the unlicensed dog catcher with a truck containing separate 

cages, I have no vehicle to collect my random thoughts or anything

tangible in which to contain them -  only virtual clouds to imagine

these offerings that come on special nights, interrupting my 

sleep and crying out for completion. Perhaps a night’s sleep may

provide me with some perspective, and chase away the nagging

demands of these unwritten, incomplete poems. 

Inspiration upon Rereading Al Purdy

The woof and warp of a life stitched together by a mind knowing

no boundaries - refusing to draw within conventional lines,

while immortalizing what it senses, which may seem trivial to

others, yet touches and connects us with everyday humanity,

refreshing our awareness as if we were newborn again.

His gift is in discovering connections between the seemingly

unrelated and distilling truths  that were always present, if

unnoticed. Such ability may be the true genius of thePeople’s

Poet. Beyond form or fashion, the poet shines a light on these

precious gems hidden within the ordinary fabric of life, thus

becoming a genuine seer of the unseen.

Watching Kite Surfing at the Beach

On a sunny fall day in a rising wind, my wife and I carried beach

chairs to the edge of Lake Ontario. Because a recent illness

forced me to walk and sit slowly, I discovered how unobservant

we are when in a hurry and how much we all miss. As the winds

became stronger, I saw more kite surfers appear. The lake was

soon accented by brightly brightly coloured kites of green & white, blue &

red, brown & yellow. Suddenly the water came alive with dozens

of surfers maneuvering boards while flying kites, jumping high,

executing somersaults, stopping effortlessly when surfing to

shore. Through the fall, we became avid fans of these unknown

athletes, awaiting their windy arrival.            

Al Purdy A-Frame Chapbook launch in Picton/residency applications

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 All writers-in-residence have a community project. Bren Simmers,  the incoming writer, has produced a chapbook with poems by recent  alumni. It will launch on October 4 in Picton with some of the  contributors in attendance. Autumn in the County is beautiful--plan a visit.  CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 AT THE AL  AND EURITHE PURDY A-FRAME, DEADLINE  OCTOBER 10, 2025   The Call for Applications for residencies in 2026 in now OPEN.  You can find details about how to apply on our website:  https://www.alpurdy.ca/residency/ Deadline is October 10, 2025.   FOUNDATION PROJECT Phase II   As you know from our last newsletter, in Phase I, time and  funding did not allow for finishing of the new basement space,  or for remediation of the property. During Phase II the land will  be replanted to grass, trees and shrubs and the following  improvements will be undertaken:   --finishing the new lower storey --plumbing and fixture installation of kitchenette --flooring throughout the new space --cabinetry and fixtures in archive room, for Purdy materials  gifted by Eurithe Purdy--replanting lawn throughout  property--shrubbery around new foundation --new trees to replace the diseased elms that were  removed--accessibility   Work will begin in November, after the residency program for  2025. It would be ideal to have the inside work finished by March  2026 when the residency program will resume. The sooner the  work is finished the sooner we can extend our residency season. Please help us get that basement finished. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/al-purdy-a-frame-association/

Anna Yin arranges Katherine L. Gordon's poetry into YouTube songs

 Longtime poetry friends Anna Yin and Katherine L. Gordon have collaborated on a selection of YouTube videos. Anna used AI tools to bring Katherine's spiritual poetry to a vibrancy beyond the printed page. 

There are several more vids of their collaboration on YouTube. Search the blog for poems by Anna and Katherine.

Farewell to the Moon Men

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GmED4HWxsQ&list=PLX1AAtT2GiktAScA39xdGcvgfGehora8i&index=2

I'm just following orders (cartoon history of fascism)

 

Enjoy Labour Day - Unions won this lifestyle for you!

 

Hi Christopher,   This Labour Day, let’s be clear: so many of the  protections we count on at work didn’t come for free.  Workers organized in unions, fought hard, and won  them.   Here’s what we can thank unions for: The weekend and the 8-hour day Won through strikes starting in 1872 and  reinforced in 1919, giving workers time  to rest and live their lives. Paid vacation time First bargained into union contracts in  Ontario, then written into law for everyone. Public health care Pioneered in Saskatchewan by the NDP  and defended by Ontario unions so care  depends on need, not income. Health and safety protections Secured in the 1970s through union  campaigns that led to Ontario’s Occupational  Health and Safety Act. Workplace pensions and CPP Achieved by organized labour pushing  governments to guarantee retirement security. Paid parental leave Won at the bargaining table and then  expanded into law so parents don’t  have to choose between work and family. Equal pay for equal work Driven by women workers and unions  demanding fairness in wages. The right to refuse unsafe work Enshrined in law because unions  wouldn’t accept workers risking their  lives on the job. Better wages and benefits Raised again and again through  collective bargaining, lifting standards  for everyone. Stronger communities Union victories have raised the floor  across Ontario, giving more people  security and dignity at work. This Labour Day, every worker in Ontario owes  something to the fights unions have already won.   Happy Labour Day!    Ontario NDP   P.S. Have you heard!? On September 19 – 21,  we gathering in Niagara Falls for the  Niagara Convention!  📅 The Niagara Convention   Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21, 2025 📍 Niagara Falls Convention Centre 6815 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3Y9   👉  REGISTER NOW 👉  JOIN THE WAITLIST 📹 WATCH:   Marit Stiles and our Niagara MPPs invite you to The Niagara Convention!     New Democratic Party of Ontario 2069 Lakeshore Blvd West, Suite 201, Toronto, ON M8V 3Z4 You are subscribed as: Zenriver@Sympatico.Ca Unsubscribe