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
Watching Kite Surfing at the Beach
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.
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.
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