Stone Woman - review by Patrick Connors

 Stone Woman
Review Article by Patrick Connors
 
Bernadette Gabay Dyer is a Toronto novelist, artist, storyteller, poet and short story writer. She is a member of the Writer's Union of Canada and worked in the Toronto Public Library system for 47 years. Stone Woman is her first full collection of poetry.
 

Early in the book is “For the One I Love”, a short but provocative poem which concludes with the following lines: “As I, in shivers/ Drown again and again/In liquid ice,/As I fall/ Into your flames.” There is a certain breathless allure to these words. But, it is not sensuality merely for the sake of being sensual. There is a maturity here, a depth, of an experience which can only be shared through true intimacy. In any case, this is not what one might expect from a retired librarian!
 

“When I write,” Dyer told me, "I am not thinking only from the point of view of a woman. Quite often, it is as though a disembodied voice, male or female speaks through me, and that is perhaps why some of my poems often are presented from entirely different points of view.”
 

Dyer has established relationships with many noteworthy writers and poets through her life and careers, both as a librarian and through her writing practice. One of the people she has rubbed shoulders with is George Elliott Clarke, the former Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Dyer dedicated the book in part to Clarke, and he was eager to lavish praise on her.
 

“Bernadette Gabay Dyer writes tales brimming over with magic and poems that sing with feeling,” Clarke proclaimed. “I am honoured that she thanks me for encouraging her art, but her response has always been courteous wonder and committed production.  Thus, out of the lava of her ink, these stone poems arrive—cool to the eye, but searing to the brain.”
 

“I first encountered George Elliott Clarke after having submitted a poem to an Ottawa magazine called “Possibilities”,” Dyer recounted. “George was then part of their team, and he was kind enough to contact me by snail mail and praise my work. I was at that time unaware that he was a literary giant. Our correspondence has lasted more than 25 years, as we continue to share our work.”
 

Her piece “The Domino Players” is a great snapshot of a scene from her native Jamaica. A great poem is often a simple telling of a specific moment in a manner which makes it special. “... the slaps, the whipping down/Of “hard cards,” the dominoes,/Whose terrible smacks and powerful whacks go/Against the heart, the breast of my memories,/And the players whose raucous shouts obliterate/The surrounding wonder.”
 

“I never approach my poetry as being a learning tool for others. I am a Story Teller,” Dyer said in capital letters, “and most of my poetry tells tales from different angles as well as unexpected revelations, since even the most disconcerting angle concerning the shouts and slapping down of dominos, by players being able to drown the impact of a landscape’s significance.”
 

An unexpected revelation here is the line, “Against the heart, the breast of my memories,”. There is something so primal about memory and how it impacts our experience for an entire lifetime, and she depicts that in such a meaningful and memorable way. As someone who has never been to Jamaica, I feel like I learned something about her native land through this poem.
 

In "Library Corners" we see some of the wonderful things about libraries, how they can be a microcosm of the community around them, but also how they can become a source for personal empowerment, why it would be awful for them to be subjected to cutbacks.. “Misunderstandings makes fools of us all,For mother/tongues no longer prove reliable/In listening to humanities secret wisdom/Of rich solutions,/Piety is imperative in these walls/Where poised in self-imposed isolation/A black boy is reading.”
 

“Working in a library is a perfect setting for those of us who love all things literary,” commented Dyer. “That environment is also the perfect place to get to know a community and their needs. It was a wonderful opportunity to see beyond all that is in plain sight.
 

“With my own eyes, and ears I had experienced a day of turmoil, and while wandering between library shelves, I happened upon a black boy quietly reading in a corner. The memory of which still brings chills since it broke the stereotype, and confirmed all that I had hoped for as a black woman.”
 

Dyer is a fine artist, with an unbridled musicality to her work which is incredibly engaging. She is just being herself, not trying to impress anybody, and that is the most impressive feature of her work.
I wondered how this book would have been different if it had come out 20 years ago?
 

“In life, it seems that timing is everything,” Dyer conceded. “Twenty years ago, I might not have had the maturity, empathy and observation skills I have now acquired.”
 

Dyer has another book project upcoming with Mosaic Press. This is an organization with an international reputation, and you can order their books online through your favourite bookseller, or directly from the publisher’s website: https://mosaicpress.ca/search?q=Stone+Woman

                                                                   ~    ~    ~

I agree with Bernadette that Toronto Public library is a wonderful place for a poet/writer to work. I worked for TPL for 6 1/2 years, at the Main St. Branch and then the Gerrard/Ashdale Branch. When I moved to rural Ontario to live closer to nature, the TPL work experience gave me the cred to become first the Marmora head librarian and then the Stirling head librarian for a decade. It was more fun and far easier work being a low paid desk clerk for TPL than being a village library CEO.        

- Chris

Overnight Success at the Age of Fifty-One - Patrick Connors

Essay by Patrick Connors on the publication of his first major poetry collection, The Other Life, by Mosaic Press.

 

              On December 29th, 2018, Terry Barker, my editor, drove me to the home of Howard Aster, Mosaic Press publisher, to have lunch and deliver my first full poetry manuscript, then titled What Runs Through.

              It was the culmination of many years of hard work, refining my craft, making a name for myself, experiencing a lot of frustration and failure, and even some success.

              However, it was also the beginning of the next stage of my development.

              I had already published two chapbooks, dozens of poems, become established as both a poet and event host in Toronto and beyond, given readings in Texas and Cuba, and helped organize the Great Canadian PoeTrain Tour.

              All of this was worthwhile, and would contribute to an impressive CV, if I ever get around to compiling one.

              Putting together a good book length manuscript, really being able to call myself an author, is another matter entirely.

              The first quarter of the year is an overwhelming time for me. I do about $250,000 worth of business at my telemarketing job during this period. Between this, and the dreary effects of winter, I am generally exhausted in the evening. Activities like readings, volunteer work, and maintaining a busy social life fade into the background.

              However, I also had a part-time job in the first quarter of 2019.

              Revising my manuscript.

              Twice.

              By the beginning of spring, I thought I had it all figured out. Barker contacted me, and we arranged to go to dinner at the local establishment. I assumed we were going to discuss marketing and promotion.

              After the requisite small talk, we got down to the topic at hand. While the book was much improved, it was still not ready to go. He said that Aster was interested in the manuscript, but pointed out that he had not formally accepted it, and that he might not be inclined to in its present form. There was much to be done.

              First of all, the working title, What Runs Through, is the name of a piece which is very personal to me. However, having that as the title of a manuscript is chapbook thinking, not full collection thinking. Barker showed me that evening how important it is to present a book as a coherent whole in order to engage the reader. That's the night the title of my collection became The Other Life. This is a line from the poem "Madness", which is about my day job.

              Six months and several revisions later, the book was ready to go. I had created a clearer image of what my poetry was about, what I am about, and done so in a manner which created a dialogue with the reader.

              Howard Aster is a very busy man, and does a lot of travelling. So, while my book was pretty much complete in fall 2019, I had to wait patiently while he became available to have another meeting.

              On February 15th, 2020, Terry Barker drove me to the office of Mosaic Press, where I handed Howard Aster a hard copy of my manuscript. Having read a digital version earlier that week, Aster said he liked it, and accepted it for publication.

              Then, of course, Covid-19 came along, resulting in further delays.

              I took it as an opportunity to do more revision, fine tune certain poems, and really take pride in my work.

              Realizing I was doing this, Aster asked me to re-send the manuscript in June.

              However, the document was now rife with formatting errors. The version I submitted in December 2018 was done in Windows XP on a computer I don't own anymore. The newer version was constructed in Google Docs on a Chromebook. The two programs were not communicating with each other.

              Fortunately, my far more technologically competent brother Paul saved the day.

              None of us ever does this alone. I could not have gotten to this point without the help of Barker, Aster, my mother, my brother, Mick Burrs, Luciano Iacobelli, Richard Grove, James Deahl, and so many others.

I also could not have done this without overcoming those who have told me that I'm terrible or shouldn't bother, a few of whom clearly thought they were doing so with something resembling good intentions.

The Other Life is now available for purchase at a significant discount from the publisher: http://www.mosaic-press.com/product/the-other-life-poems-by-patrick-connors/

It is also available for pre-order on the websites of Indigo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, as well as some European booksellers. The formal release of the book will be in July, by which time I will actually be 52.

However, this is also only a beginning. I am currently doing what I can to promote the book, despite the lack of live readings due to Covid. I have scheduled interviews, and am also actively pursuing reviews, fully aware that some are likely to be negative.

If you want to be a published poet, I recommend you read and write a lot of poetry, study books on process, and develop your own unique voice. But you also need to go to events, develop an effective reading posture, and build a network. And you better be willing to do something to help and promote somebody if you want somebody else to help you.

If you want to be an author, you must be able to handle criticism, including tough love from your closest supporters, and be ready to do more work on your manuscript and yourself, even if you think both are complete.

And then, even if there isn't a pandemic, you'll have to be patient. Nothing is going to happen on your schedule, your perception of when things are supposed to happen.

But, when it does come to fruition, it will have been worth the wait.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.j.connors.3

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/81912CON

 

Springtime in Canada - Patrick Connors

from Patrick Connors new book from Mosaic Press

The Other Life


April snow billows and  blows
but goes nowhere, with drifts
just long enough to cause accidents
which change lives forever.

Blustery wet wind rattles rooftops
topples and tears down trees
older than the neighbourhood around them
and makes small dogs pensive.

Springtime in Canada means we watch
children play hockey in outdoor rinks,
millionaires play baseball in domed stadiums
and say, "I can't wait until it's really Spring!"

It is planting seeds in unreceptive soil
hoping to make life out of nothing -
cold, cracked hands the mark of your labours,
and you know that the trying is worthwhile.

praise for Patrick's new book, his first major collection: 

from Mosaic Press website

 

George Elliott Clarke, “Pat Connors is an unpretentious and unassuming a poet as his hero, that bard of the everyman and everywoman, Al Purdy.”

Bruce Meyer, “Here is a voice whose precision, sense of focus, grace, and economy of language, are brought together in poems that are memorable and gifted. The beauty of these pieces is that if you blink, you will miss them. Keep your eyes open, and watch as Connors runs through his memories and his vision of what life can be.””

Dr. Georgia Wider, “…a collection of accessible meditations on hockey and hotdogs and friends and faith. His work is local, tactile, and specific in imagery…Connors speaks in the language of a working-class hero, a true people’s poet.”

Robert Priest, “Patrick Connors deceptively plain spoken poems give us a man in need of unadorned truth…he lays bare the heart and hopes of a seeker whose urge to reach the true light of faith refuses to be distracted by baubles and trinkets. It is refreshing to read these poems of spirit.”

Max Layton, “Strong, forthright expression of abiding faith.”

Lillian Allan, “Here’s a writer who spends much creative-time facilitating opportunities for other writers, so it’s indeed a happy occasion to see his first collection take shape.”

John B. Lee, “…the writer is attentive to the betterment of the self, and through the example thereby becoming an inspiration to others through what the written word aspires to achieve. Poetry becomes a beacon to follow driving inward and illuminating interior darkness, the lifting that cup of light to lips for the speaking and to the ear for the hearing.”

Stanley Fefferman, “…Connors courageously puts on paper what’s in his heart about himself and what he cares about: poetry., hockey, religion, family, politics and love. His plainspeaking is supported by a craftsman’s attention to detail.”

 

Patrick Connors has been a mainstay of the poetry scene in Toronto for many years. His contribution and his commitment to the poetic life of the GTA and beyond is well known. The Other Life, his first collection of poems, establishes him as an original and distinctive poetic voice. His considerable reputation is already well established and this volume will be read, enjoyed and cherished by his many admirers.

 

First Major Poetry Collection from Patrick Connors

 

The Other Life – Poems by Patrick Connors

Sale!

 

ISBN	PB: 9781771615402 PDF: 9781771615419 EPUB: 9781771615426 KINDLE: 9781771615433
Publication Date	July 2021
Author(s)	Patrick Connors

EARLY ACCESS

30% Off Till Official Release Date!

George Elliott Clarke, “Pat Connors is an unpretentious and unassuming a poet as his hero, that bard of the everyman and everywoman, Al Purdy.”

Bruce Meyer, “Here is a voice whose precision, sense of focus, grace, and economy of language, are brought together in poems that are memorable and gifted. The beauty of these pieces is that if you blink, you will miss them. Keep your eyes open, and watch as Connors runs through his memories and his vision of what life can be.””

Dr. Georgia Wider, “…a collection of accessible meditations on hockey and hotdogs and friends and faith. His work is local, tactile, and specific in imagery…Connors speaks in the language of a working-class hero, a true people’s poet.”

Robert Priest, “Patrick Connors deceptively plain spoken poems give us a man in need of unadorned truth…he lays bare the heart and hopes of a seeker whose urge to reach the true light of faith refuses to be distracted by baubles and trinkets. It is refreshing to read these poems of spirit.”

Max Layton, “Strong, forthright expression of abiding faith.”

Lillian Allan, “Here’s a writer who spends much creative-time facilitating opportunities for other writers, so it’s indeed a happy occasion to see his first collection take shape.”

John B. Lee, “…the writer is attentive to the betterment of the self, and through the example thereby becoming an inspiration to others through what the written word aspires to achieve. Poetry becomes a

beacon to follow driving inward and illuminating interior darkness, the lifting that cup of light to lips for the speaking and to the ear for the hearing.”

Stanley Fefferman, “…Connors courageously puts on paper what’s in his heart about himself and what he cares about: poetry., hockey, religion, family, politics and love. His plainspeaking is supported by a craftsman’s attention to detail.”

 

Patrick Connors has been a mainstay of the poetry scene in Toronto for many years. His contribution and his commitment to the poetic life of the GTA and beyond is well know Finally, The Other Life, his first collection of poems, establishes him as an original and distinctive poetic voice. His considerable reputation is already well established and this volume will be read, enjoyed and cherished by his many admirers.

Author: Patrick Connors

$21.95 $14.99

 

This is the first major collection by Toronto poet Patrick Connors. Patrick is a people's poet in the tradition of Raymond Souster, Ted Plantos, Milton Acorn and of course his hero, Al Purdy. Patrick is a true political activist, and he's a topnotch emcee. Patrick saved the day by emceeing the final PurdyFest in 2014 when he stood in for me when I had to attend a close friend's funeral, my mother was dying, and the other major organizer disappeared at the eleventh hour. And ladies, he's a great dancer :  )-

- Chris

I was wandering through Marmora's Lions Club Park yesterday, when:

fresh snow

on the back

of the badly carved raven     

 

 

ACORNucopia not yet overflowing ...

We welcome B.C. professor and cultural writer Ron Dart to the editorial team collecting material for the Mosaic Press tribute book for Milton Acorn. Ron has submitted several prose pieces for the project, and his addition will help us collect more material from West Coast contributors.

Lead editor Terry Barker recently circulated a list of the submissions to date, and we have a substantial number of contributors - 24+ - but we want this commemorative for Milt to be as comprehensive as possible. We now have a very broad selection of poems, memoirs, reviews, essays, miscellaneous prose and even a few photos.

But ... we are still very open to receiving submissions for the book, and we'd especially like to have more critical (academic) pieces on Milt's work.

Also please use your imaginations - how about sending us some original art work inspired by Milt?
Maybe even suggestions for the cover. I had a vision a few days ago sitting on the shaman shack deck at ZenRiver of a possible cover: a map of Milt's Canada - Prince Edward Island was as big as the rest of Canada, and cupped the land mass. The three centres of Milt's activity, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto, were surrounded by the images of his many friends and proteges (e.g. Gwen, Joe R., bill b, Al, Maggie A., James D.,  etc.). Visual artists, give this your best shot.

If you know a People's Poet inspired by Milt (and all of you know many), please ask them to help us celebrate Milt's ongoing living legacy by sending material for this tribute.    

ACORNucopia: pic of missing Acorn-bissett book/update emails Acorn tribute (Mosaic Press)/

front cover, by attachment, of the missing & unpublished Bissett-Acorn poetic missive---hope you find this of some value. (thanks to Ron Dart)
RSD
_____________________________________________________________

 Thanks, Stan, for your help!
Yeah, it's time to start putting a major push on getting material for this tribute. Milt deserves as much publicity & recognition as we can get for him. Terry Barker & I  had a good chat a couple of hours ago on how to proceed with the final roundup  :  ) Terry met with Howard last Friday, & it's all systems go with Howard.  Another editor, Bruce Meyer, is hard at work finding & soliciting the critical pieces we still lack. This will be quite the book!

Terry is going to write up a list asap of the (potential) contributors, their pieces, & genres to date, & I plan to post this on my blog when I receive it. This will give us a better idea of the scope of the book so far, & help us to solicit work from all the poets/academics/friends/family/lovers/comrades etc. who still haven't sent their contributions on Milt.

peace & poetry power!
Chris
 
On 2013-09-10, at 1:18 PM, S Rogal wrote:

Great, thanks!  I've let a few others know.  Maybe they'll respond.

Stan

Subject: Re: Acorn homage by Stan Rogal
From: zenriver@sympatico.ca
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:26:14 -0400
To: srogal

Hi Stan,
Things are moving well, but slowly, on Milt's tribute book. We knew from the start that this project would require a lot of literary digging, networking & patience  :  )  We are still looking for contributions, altho we have now received a substantial number (enough to assure Mosaic publisher Howard Aster that the book is a go). The editorial committee hopes to meet soon with Howard to start the final preparation of the manuscript. Please pass the word around, & we are now especially looking for critical 'academic' pieces on Milt & his poetry & legacy.

Thanks again for your contribution AND patience. We'll let everyone know when the book has progressed further.

peace & poetry power!
Chris (Faiers)