Passing of the Jungle: poem by Morley Ellis

 
I nurture struggling creatures.
Endangered!  Trying to survive.
In a fertile environment,  they thrive, and begin to multiply.
I watch them, getting nothing in return.
Then one day as I grow weak, their coils embrace me.
Hold me close, and comfort me as I cross over.

Poetry by the dam: Judy Backus in Central Hastings News

Central Hastings News * Thursday, August 7, 2014  page 5

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Poetry by the dam

Poetry by the dam– Image 2

Judy Backus

The work of poet Jim Christy, of Corbyville, was featured during "Another Dam Poetry Reading," which included input from many of those gathered at the site where the background water music added to the ambience.

 

Central Hastings News

By Judy Backus

Canadian people's poetry was celebrated over the long weekend with the multi-faceted annual Purdy Country Literary Festival which was held at several Marmora venues. On August 2, all gathered at the library building for a symposium relating to Pauline Johnson and First Nations Art and History. As Chris Faiers, who organizes the events, said in promotional material, "This will be the eighth summer that poets will gather on the long August 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 ..." He went on to explain that "PurdyFest symposiums have been focusing on the life and legacies of Canada's major "People's Poets." To date these have examined the work of poets Al Purdy, Ted Plantos, Milton Acorn, Raymond Souster and Dorothy Livesay.

Faiers explained, "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." A Saturday afternoon symposium focusing on Johnson, included input from John Bacher who spoke on "Pauline Johnson: Pioneer Environmentalist".

The celebration began on Friday evening with a potluck supper at ZenGardens and continued throughout the weekend with the symposium

relating to Pauline Johnson and "another Dam Poetry Reading" held fittingly beside the dam where poets gathered to both listen and recite. That well-attended session began with a musical interlude presented by Morley Ellis which prefaced the round robin readings. The session doesn't usually include a featured reader, but this year an exception was made with Jim Christy, who was described by Faiers as being a poet/novelist/playwright/world traveller/raconteur, and Canadian icon, being invited to do an extended set.

Among his many well-received readings, was one titled "Doggone Poem" which included in part, 

"This poem is not Licensed by the authorities. It likes To saunter along, going where it wishes, And watches the other poems in there Enclosures. Those can whine and preen Or growl and bark all they want, Knowing they're safe On that side of the fence." 

The festival, which brings poets to town from both near and distant points, also included group readings during a Sunday session held at ZenGardens and hosted by Tai Grove of the Canada-Cuba Literary Alliance.

Apart from the poetry related events, Faiers had plans to accompany some of the visitors to points of interest within the area among them Greensides Farm and Callahan's Rapids Conservation Area. 


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On 2014-08-09, at 10:37 AM, Lindi Pierce wrote:

Oh well done Chris!
You must be so satisfied - and exhausted - now that everything is over, and went so well.
I was tied up doing interviews for an article, so didn't make plans with too-busy Michele to get up.
Next year?
hugs to you and Chase
Enjoy the rest of the summer
Lindi


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Thanks, Lindi  ;  )
It was another successful fest, & all events were very well attended. But it's just become too much for me to be the primary organizer at age 66. The symposiums did a great job of covering the history of Canadian political "People's Poetry", and now that this historical analysis is pretty well complete after 8 years, it's time to end PurdyFests on an upbeat note.

Congrats to you & MIchele & all the other A-frame vols on the incredible work you do down there in A-burg. I see that Richard is doing another fund raising presentation of his Purdy play in the same location at the end of August. Will try to generate some publicity, & see if Chase & I can wobble down there.

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


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On 2014-08-09, at 11:49 PM, Richard M. Grove wrote:

the end of an era – going out with a bang – good job

tai


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Thanks, Junebug  ;  )
Your Sunday afternoon hostings of Canada-Cuba Literary Alliance (CCLA) & Hidden Brook Press group readings at ZenRiver Gardens were a big part of PurdyFests. Too bad you didn't get the chance to do your 'mid-stream' reading - I'm still a little suspicious of just what your plans were for that!!!

Yes, thanks to all & sundry who showed up, read & sometimes listened, wandered by the Upper Moira, & maaaybe sneaked a sip or two of strong dark rum during the sunny afternoons!

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

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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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