@roblucastaylor.bsky.social 😊

solid advice

3 haiku

Cover of Applause for a cloud by Sayumi Kamakura

First page of Applause for a Cloud by Sayumi Kamakura (trans. by James Shea) #shortpoemsunday

I've also thought about comparing it to movement: if a story is going for a walk or hike, a poem is more like dancing

It is tricky to define! Probably best to show them a few and then talk about what makes them different than other writing (or at least different from stories) But yes, as Heather suggested, aligning it with the words of a song is a good way to go.

Happy to have a couple new poems in this one, alongside such lovelies as Liz Howard, Billeh Nickerson, Ellie Sawatzky, and others ❤️

Eliminating libraries in prisons is a disaster, completely shortsighted. Libraries are a lifeline for incarcerated people who want to learn and grow, and have few other options.

Little display of some local (BC) poets I put up at my library branch. some friends and those I wish were my friends 🥰

"The idea has become the work for some, and the immaculate production of it their reward, and this is a doomed prospect. An idea is a nothing thing that has built and destroyed the world countless times over, and it matters how it is crafted and wielded into its final form." ❤️

So lovely, Phillip. The way the last line lights up everything that came before.

I love it when a new window opens up! Send in your good weird poems 🌸

Good used book deals out in New West! I'll be there tomorrow 10-2 if you want to say hi

9-year-old, gently petting my head: "papa, you're background music"

These were a treat to read, George! :)

Next Sunday, March 8th! A fantastic line-up of poets:
Rhea Tregebov reading Anne Szumigalski (1922-1999)
George McWhirter reading José Emilio Pacheco (1939-2014)
Robin Susanto reading Sapardi Djoko Damano (1940–2020)
Mezi reading from "Classical Poems by Arab Women" anthology. Hope to see u there!

The Public Lending Right (PLR) Program It pays to have your books in Canada’s libraries! Learn more about the Public Lending Right Program

Canadian authors. The PLR program is open. Don’t forget to register your new titles.
publiclendingright.ca

Oof, very sad news. I probably clocked hundreds of hours listening to Bookworm while working as a janitor/maintenance worker. If there was a Nobel Prize for Best Reader, it should go to Silverblatt ❤️

On the left: black and white photo of the exterior of a school building with police tape across the image. Red dots of blood are near the centre of the image. On the right: text that reads “What we’re getting wrong about the Tumbler Ridge shootings. Blaming mental illness—or identity—lets society avoid harder truths about violence”

In Tumbler Ridge, BC, an 18-year-old killed eight people in a mass shooting. Youth violence expert Tracy Vaillancourt speaks to The Walrus’s Carmine Starnino about assessing risk, combating stigma, and why nuance matters when talking about violence: https://thewalrus.ca/tumbler-ridge-shooting/

wow, jealous!

Render, Render Boil it down: feet, skin, gristle,

poets.org/poem/render-... 💋 Happy Birthday, Todd!

“An Uncommon Eye”: Reflections on the Life and Work of Sandy Shreve - EVENT One of the first friends I made in the poetry world was Sandy Shreve. Despite our gap in age and experience, Sandy took in this wide-eyed budding poet as a peer. I remember one day walking with Sandy ...

My dear friend, the poet Sandy Shreve, has died.

A number of us wrote tributes to Sandy for @eventmags.bsky.social in December. I welcome you to read them today, and learn a bit more about an incredible poet, painter, arts organizer and human being:

Eye'll 👁➡️

Ah, thanks for sharing!

Here's that poem again in a more official context. I have thoughts about this framing, but will keep to my workshop code of not explaining my poetry.

The photo is also from 10+ years ago but I'm fine about that--my wife made me laugh during the photoshoot 😂

❤️

livestream link ubc.ca.panopto.com/Panopto/Page...

What Rob said! Also if you can't make it (like me, sadly) you can stream it live

Banner that reads Protest Banner Lending Library.

Flyer from Chicago Public Library that gives instructions on how to check out a protest banner.

Chicago Public Library is doing some amazing work.

Amazing! Congrats, Tolu!

Last few days to join this online poetry class I teach, so please consider and/or share with peers that might be interested! The class needs at least one more student to run 🤞