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Risks
An exuberant play on words, a serious poem that reflects on life and the craft of poetry - RISKS is these and more. It is the story of L - poet, critic, lover. His poignantly comic love affair with the creations of his own imagination, with the beguiling Crystal, with his own words, and finally with himself. In poetry ranging from the delicate and subtle to the sardonic and ironic, Anne Szumigalski has forged a style uniquely her own. To her brilliant play with language have been added the illustrations of artist Jim Westergard.
45 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1983
About the author
Anne Szumigalski
20 books2 followersAnne Szumigalski was one of Saskatchewan and Canada's best-known, best-loved poets. She published more than a dozen books of poetry, as well as a play, two collections of essays and a "book of fables." Her 1995 publication Voice received the Governor General's Award for poetry, while her works received several Saskatchewan Book Awards and others. She was instrumental in the founding of both the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild and the literary journal Grain, and is appreciated for having been a mentor to many young poets in the region.
Born Anne Davis, in London, England, she served as an interpreter and welfare officer with the British Red Cross Civilian Relief organization during WWII. She immigrated to Canada with her family, eventually settling in Saskatoon. Anne Szumigalski died in 1999.
Born Anne Davis, in London, England, she served as an interpreter and welfare officer with the British Red Cross Civilian Relief organization during WWII. She immigrated to Canada with her family, eventually settling in Saskatoon. Anne Szumigalski died in 1999.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 29, 2022
the understanding is a motorcycle
rushing round a cindery track
called the wall of death
only by a spittle of fear
drooled from the mouth
of L, the rider
is it held to the sharp curve
* * *
the cycle whizzes on
roars like a cataract
the rider dreams of water
crystal clear
* * *
they try to hide them with pieces of paper torn
from L's typewriter / the paper is covered with
disregarded similes / which fall from their pages /
having been absolved / having been let go / to lead
a life of their own / they would much rather be
part of an extended family / a poem as long as
your arm /
* * *
L opens the window
cold air shoves into the room
the fire perks up
the hearth glows
rushing round a cindery track
called the wall of death
only by a spittle of fear
drooled from the mouth
of L, the rider
is it held to the sharp curve
- pg. 11
* * *
the cycle whizzes on
roars like a cataract
the rider dreams of water
crystal clear
- pg. 22
* * *
they try to hide them with pieces of paper torn
from L's typewriter / the paper is covered with
disregarded similes / which fall from their pages /
having been absolved / having been let go / to lead
a life of their own / they would much rather be
part of an extended family / a poem as long as
your arm /
- pg. 33
* * *
L opens the window
cold air shoves into the room
the fire perks up
the hearth glows
- pg. 44
Displaying 1 of 1 review