poet Jim Larwill: youtube vids on Milton Acorn and poetry from the margins

I heard from old comrade Jim Larwill today (Canadian Liberation Movement - google it). Jim was a mainstay of the Purdy Country Poetry Fests I held for eight summers at my ZenRiver Gardens retreat. Great to hear from him and to know that he's staying very alive and active on the Canuck poetry scene with his online vids. Please check him out!   

Hey Chris,

How are things going these days?  Same old same old here.  Slowing down with age a bit.  Writing less but trying to do something with some of it.  I don't know if you remember the paper I gave on Acorn at Purdyfest but I have turned it into a video/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9oo1fJIWns

The beauty of the internet is that today a poet can be ignored by the entire world!!  I miss reading to a live audience sometimes.   Covid seems to have shut down most reading series and I am too tired in the evenings to drive into town and all the way back anyway.  Videos are a hell of a lot more work that reading to a live audience...  and a live audience doesn't have an algorithm between the stage and the seats.

Anyway I hope you are well.

Jim

-- 

Jim Larwill is an Omnigothic Neofuturist. 

You can read his poetry and essays at: http://web.ncf.ca/wolf

You can read "i Wolf" the Carnivoreque literary theory of "human" origin at: http://web.ncf.ca/eu386/iWolf

You can watch his You-tube videos at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXNKeq1xZcCY4QJ2_vI6oxg

some of Jim Larwill's memories of poet and CLM comrade Rob Macleod from our email

exchanges today:

The other day I happened to come across an obituary for Rob Macleod who it seems passed a few years ago.  Rob like all of us had his quirks, but he actually was such a really good guy.  Rob over the years was good at keeping in touch with me (phone to pass on bad jokes and puns on a regular basis) and I kind of eventually noticed I hadn't heard from him in a while.  When he became a father I did hear less because he was busy.  He absolutely adored his daughter.  I was quite sad to hear of his death.

So many memories come to mind.  There is is picture of me standing in the middle of the centennial flame of Parliament Hill where I am lighting a Time magazine to start a bonfire of American magazines which were being dumped into Canada.  A successful demonstration that helped bring in protection for Canadian Mags.  1974?  In the background of the picture Rob is holding the CLM banner with a Mountie standing beside him.  Of all of us I would say Rob was probably the closest to Acorn.  He took a trip to PEI with Acorn where Acorn lost his People's Poetry medal on a beach lamenting that eventually some American with a metal detector would find it some day.  Rob said he was working on a book on Acorn.  Not sure what happened with that.  It is maybe important we try to keep out version of history alive for a little while.  Maybe I should do a vid of my Acorn memories?

Jim and Rob on Parliament Hill

photo Jon Penner

PurdyFests are dead ... long live PurdyFests!

On 2014-08-05, at 12:38 PM, Jim Larwill wrote:

Hi Chris,

I was just thinking I didn't really have any chances this year to be whispering into your ear my Purdyfest mantra to you "It must be fun."


Old Comrade tired,
Raven whispers death,
Red sun in this river.

And I was also thinking how I didn't really get much of a chance to visit with you this year which is always one of my main reasons for making the pilgrimage to Zen River.

It seems to me one year we cancelled the symposium and that was for me one of the best Purdyfest.  It gave a relaxed day at Zen River for Purdyfesters and a space and time for the informal connections and discussions Purdyfest is famous for.


In puppeteer's tent,
cricket keeps company;
So many dreams.

Lets face it we are getting old.  If it wasn't for my son Ali driving me (partly a ruse to get him to attend with Georgia who, by the way, enjoyed the symposium very much), if it wasn't for Ali's support and the support of others I don't know if I would have been able to make it this year.  But I am very very happy and glad I did.  Thank you Chris Faiers. Thank you Cricket.


Melanie pushes me off wagon,
Dan's pasta-salad paints grass,
The Finn is telling bad jokes.

You did such a good job of everything this year it is a shame it was such a strain on you.

May Purdyfest rest in peace.

However, if you wanted to start a Zen River Acorn fest I would suggest purging all out of town organizers and yourself, putting Morley, Dan, and John in charge. 


Red Frisbee floating,
sumac blooms whispering
Shaman cracks another beer.
Instead of a symposium maybe Ali and I could come and set up a Frisbee golf course for the weekend next year.


At Raven's Nest,
one lesson -
Death feeds birth.

yr old comrade Jim... aka... RK

signs are there to be read...


old hand
on blue maple-leaf
rests
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Chris's reply:

Many thanks for the comforting words, Raven King  ;  ) 

Chase & I finally bumbled out to ZRG just after noon, & Mel & Simon were in the throes of packing. We had a toast to the death of PurdyFest, then a toast to the rebirth of whatever comes next. Simon & Mel are such an August (or august) fixture at ZRG that of course they are planning on camping there again next summer. All of you add such a vibe to the place, & frankly, some of the various local spirits are a bit bored hanging out with just Chase  me day after day. By the way, Mel's large 'pet' snake bit her quite badly on the hand this morning when she got a little too friendly with it.

a little blood
warning not to cross
too many boundaries

We rescued the dessicated turtle's shell from the main crevice on the sacred rock face.

mother turtle's body
wedged deep in
sacred old rocks

As always, the campers left the grounds of ZenRiver in immaculate condition.

hard to tell
where tents stood for days
First Nations respect

Many thanks for the cash - I'll spend it as unwisely as possible!!!!!!!!!!!   (ask Simon & Mel next year). Simon & Mel were also overly generous.

Simon's parting hug
leaves cash in hand
& some accidental gifts  (?)

Yeah, PurdyFests had a great run. The signs were there all week that this might be the final one. Both Terry & I were starting to consider this, & I just wish he'd been more in tune with his subconscious or whatever.

people remember bad stuff
sumacs never bother to learn

I hope everyone returns to ZRG next summer, & we'll do things a bit differently. Simon & I threw the football minutes before they drove off for Hamilton (Go, Tiger Cats!). Yeah, I'm going to quarterback a pick-up team next summer & pass some touchdowns  ;  )  Desi can lead the other team. Maybe Wilber. Or Dan can dig his croquet set out of storage. The river will be there, singing its dakini songs.

next summer
only the river
allowed to speak poetry

Oh, I did get to tour both John & Mary Lou around the stations of the cross at Greensides farm on Sunday. Then yesterday Patrick & I made the stations, only this time in the right sequence  ;  )

Indian pilgrims smile
when the big white man
joins their hymn singing

:Yeah, PurdyFests died with a bang, not a fucking whimper. Or maybe with John Bacher singing hymns with visiting pilgrims.

peace & poetry power!
Chris ... & Chase wrfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff!

p.s. yes, I most definitely need purging!!!!!   ... outhouse, here I come ...


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from Simon Aug. 5:

Melanie and I got home about three hours ago and had a BBQ in honour of the fun we had this year at Purdy Fest. 8.  Many thanks to you Chris and Terry, Tai, and James for all the their work over the last 8 years. 

It was something strange and deathly beautiful to be with Chase, Chris and Melanie at ZRG this afternoon (Tues. July 5th).  Melanie and I were packing when Chris and Chase came upon us at Zen River Tuesday afternoon.   I wish not to be morbid; however, we all had a toast to the death of PurdyFest and then a toast to the rebirth of what will come next!.

Bloody lines drawn
old friends cross
boundaries transgressed?

Mel and I are surely coming back to ZRG next year for the August long weekend.  We love the camping and all the wonderful people we have met over the manyt years we have camped at ZRG.  Next summer seems to be shaping up to be something different and surely FUN.  We will be inviting some artist friends to come with us next August. :)   

Chris I so wish more people gave you cash for what you have done :)  Please spend the money we gave you as you "bloody" see fit :)

Parting hug of love
Cash and trash taken
accidental gifts NOT

Melanie and I will be returning to ZRG next summer and I assume things we'll be done a bit differently.  It was nice to throw around the J5V CFL football with Chris before we drove off for Hamilton  . . . YES . . . (Go, Tiger Cats Go!).   Next summer I do hope Chris quarterbacks and passes some touchdowns  ;  )  AND YES, I hope Danny (a.k.a. Desi) can lead the other team with Wilber.  :D . . . I also hope Dan can. "dig up his croquet set out of storage." :D

Thank goodness that the river will be there, singing its "dakini" songs NO MATTER WHAT! :D.

Summer to come
the river babbles
inspiring poets to speak

PurdyFests  . . . can it ever really die?  I think it will only transform into something forever relevant! 

peace & poetry and performance power!

Simon


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from Jim Larwill (Raven King) on August 6:

Teaching Rock Visions or Conspiracy Theory Demons?

Zen River or Sabotage Creek?

Snakes are cold-blooded.  If your fingers are colder than the sun on their back when you pet them, they bite.   A legacy is not in the skin which has been shed, but is in the fragile and sensitive membrane which is forming past old boundaries.  Leave behind what is transparent, withered, and now easily blown in the wind.  Even if once it seemed to hold so much and all that you were, it is an illusion now draped over the very grass and rock which pulled it from you.  That skin is nothing.  You are nothing.  Let the sun shine on this emptiness.


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On 2014-08-06, at 10:36 AM, Karl Jirgens wrote:

Chris,
Thanks for doing what you did  with Purdy Fest - 8 years is a energetic contribution to Canadian letters!
It's events like this that keep writing and literature in Canada alive and vital!
Excellently done!
Very best wishes,
Karl

Dr. Karl E. Jirgens, Editor, Rampike Magazine
Dept. of English Language, Literature & Creative Writing
University of Windsor

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PurdyFest #8 poster (thanks, Gail!) and updates

PURDY COUNTRY LITERARY FESTIVAL #8
                        (PurdyFest 2014)

Celebrating Canadian People's Poetry

Friday, August 1st:
Events begin with a POTLUCK SUPPER at ZenRiver Gardens
(hamlet of Malone) late Friday afternoon

Saturday, August 2nd:
SYMPOSIUM:  "Re-envisioning Canada Through Pauline Johnson's Eyes"
Marmora Library Building    Noon - 2 pm
Presenters include emcee Terry Barker, John Bacher and Jim Larwill

Jim Larwill is an Ottawa area poet and playwright
his paper will be "In Wake of Tekahionwake"

John Bacher is an environmentalist and historian who lives in Toronto and St. Catherines
his paper will be "Pioneer Environmentalist"

Terry Barker is a retired college teacher and independent scholar
his paper will be "'Canadian Born': Pauline Johnson's Affirmation of the True Northern in
the Crisis of Atlantic Civilization"

ANOTHER DAM POETRY READING
Islet in the Marmora Dam   approx. 3 - 4:30 pm
Co-hosted by Singer/Guitarist Morley Ellis and a
Reading by internationally acclaimed poet Jim Christy
Round Robin Open Set readings - please share your poetry & songs


Sunday:
CANADA-CUBA LITERARY ALLIANCE/HIDDEN BROOK PRESS
Group Readings hosted by Tai Grove - also open sets
ZenRiver Gardens retreat in the Hamlet of Malone
Socializing at noon - readings begin at 1 pm

All invited to participate and share in all activities

For further information contact Chris Faiers
zenriver@sympatico.ca

613-472-6186



PURDYFEST #8: Focus on Pauline Johnson and First Nations Art & History



This will be the eighth summer that poets will gather on the August long weekend in the greater Marmora area to share and celebrate. Many activities will take place at ZenRiver Gardens in the hamlet of Malone, other events will be held in the Marmora Library Building and on the Marmora dam. Everyone is invited to all these free events, and all participants are encouraged to share their poetry, music and art.

Activities begin late Friday afternoon, August 1st, with a Potluck Supper at ZenRiver Gardens by the shaman shack. Free 'rough camping' is available for the weekend.

PurdyFest Symposiums have been focusing on the life, art and legacies of Canada's major "People's Poets". To date these symposiums have examined the work of poets Al Purdy, Ted Plantos, Milton Acorn, Raymond Souster and Dorothy Livesay. We are working our way back through Canadian history, and this summer we'll examine and celebrate the life and legacy of Mohawk poet Pauline Johnson, who made her contributions a century ago. The symposium on Pauline Johnson will be held in The William Shannon Room of the Marmora Library Building from noon to 2 pm on Saturday, August 2nd.

After the Symposium poets, friends and summer visitors will gather on the islet in the Marmora Dam for ANOTHER DAM POETRY READING. Marmora singer/guitarist/poet Morley Ellis will lead off the round robin readings, with everyone attending encouraged to share their art.

Events continue early Sunday afternoon at ZenRiver Gardens. Tai Grove is both the publisher of Hidden Brook Press and the President of The Canada-Cuba Literary Alliance. Tai will host readings by these two groups, and there is always time for all poets attending to present a poem or two of their own, whether a member of these groups or not.

For further information on Purdy Country Literary Festival #8 please contact Chris Faiers:

zenriver@sympatico.ca
613-472-6186.




Message from CCLA Prez Tai Grove about Sunday readings:


Purdy Fest CCLA Reading – Sunday, August 3rd, 2014 – 1pm to 3:30pm Come early at 12 noon and stay late to hang out. As usual the CCLA reading at Chris Faiers’ ZenRiver Gardens is about communing with friends and fellow poets. It is about camaraderie under the tent of poetry. Come with your refreshments and snacks if you like and re-connect with fellow poets. There is no feature reader. We will read in a round robin. Once all of the signed up CCLA participants have read  we will go around the circle as an open non-mic as many times as we still have readers. Some will read from the middle of the river – you are invited to join us. Some might have to leave but we will keep reading as long as we have readers. Come with an entourage and a lawn chair. 

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A little linguistic upbraiding from a haiku poet (LeRoy Gorman kindly submitted the PurdyFest #8 press release as a Haiku Canada news item - thanks, Leroy!)

Hi Carolanne,
You're a bit of a linguistic stickler for a poet, esp. a haiku poet ;  ) do you still count 17 syllables? The dude who's presenting the paper with "Northern" in the title has a doctorate from Oxford, & I bet he'd give you a 2-hour dissertation on why it's correct!  2 of my presenters have doctorates, the other one has a masters. arrggghhh Thanks for the clarification on the possessive of my name (& others) - never have been clear on that, & I still don't care ...

best with your fireworks display ... sounds almost as cool as our "PurdyFest".

peace & poultry power!
Chris/cricket 



On 2014-07-27, at 12:30 PM, Carolanne Reynolds wrote:

Sounds great but we're out here on the West Coast and Aug 2nd is our fireworks competition, "Celebration of Light" and it's Japan's night.
Have heard of the true north but not "the True Northern" -- what does it mean? is a noun missing?

btw, the word has to be plural, not just end in S, to omit the possessive apostrophe, so shd be Chris's and Faiers's
eg
Bridget Jones's Diary; Bridget is the Joneses' daughter.

On 2014-07-27, at 7:59 AM, Haiku Canada wrote:

A message forwarded from Leroy Gorman to all interested poets:


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