It’s beyond timely to republish “Anthem,” JC’s poem, first was broadcast on CBC radio nationally on the program “Commentary.”

When thinking people cannot ignore how Canada and her democracy and related values are under assault everywhere and how many forces conspire to weaken the fragile balance that is civility, many others pay little heed. It’s as though they embrace a new mantra, a combo of “that can’t happen here” with”what do I care, anyway.” They do so without regard for the facts and the truth or the consequences of ignoring both.

Here’s JC’s poem which calls upon Canadians on the 158th anniversary of the country’s founding to smarten up, tune in, and step up to do his/her/their part for Canada and for democracy.

Anthem

 A Mountie sings the anthem

Fine baritone, scarlet tunic

The odd, stiff brown hat

I strain to hear the others –their singing jumbles off

high glass planes, transparent walls

I make out

Des plus brilliants

God keep

Glorious and free

I hear my voice, small in the great room

Oh Canada, we stand on guard 

I will the words to be true

Fear we are not up to it

Many of us don’t bother to vote

We squander our choices, our democracy

Grumble at leaders in power

almost by default

Our fault, really

Centred in everyday lives

Blind to the need to protect this country

Beautiful, fragile

We ought to know better

Know what to do for Canada each day

and in times of flood, plague, war, and fire

Should someone tell us

Should we ask

Or should we go out there

Start somewhere

Work not only for ourselves

but for our Canada

A half hour a day

times the forty-one+ million of us

(minus the sick, the too-young)

would sure buy a lot

of standing on guard

Mary Lou Soutar-Hynes’ new collection launched on Saturday, May 24 in Toronto at Society Clubhouse.

JC welcomed the invitation from publisher Aeolus House to read at this afternoon celebration of Mary Lou’s fine poetry.

JC choose selections from Life, after life–from epitaph to epilogue, her 2024 collection of found poems using words drawn from obituaries published in the Globe and Mail and from Bricolage, a Gathering of Centos, a finalist for the 2022 Fred Kerner Book Award from the Canadian Authors Association.

JC explained that she writes centos and found poetry under her pen name, A. Garnett Weiss. “To give me distance from my other poetry and licence to move toward more abstract forms of expression.”

“I was honoured to read at the launch of Mary Lou’s luminous, memorable collection.,The hall was packed. The audience listened carefully to Dorothy Sandler-Glick, who read first, and then to me. The response from everyone there heartened me, ” JC noted. Here’s the poster for the event.

Lots to celebrate in April, particularly to focus on Canadian poets and poetry.

JC encourages poetry lovers to head to the library or the bookstore and support Canada’s amazing poetry community.

To read about some of the ways in which she is marking National Poetry Month click here.

Blaine Marchand reviews Life, after life—from epitaph to epilogue for The Ontario Poetry Society’s magazine, Verse Afire

An upcoming issue of Verse Afire, the flagship semi-annual magazine from The Ontario Poetry Society, will feature Ottawa poet Blaine Marchand’s definitive review of JC’s third poetry collection, published under her pen name, A. Garnett Weiss.

Life, after life—from epitaph to epilogue offers over 60 found poems which use words and phrases drawn unaltered from obituaries published in the Globe and Mail.

Marchand’s cogent observations about this, her second book of found poems, include these quotes:

JC thanks Blaine Marchant for sharing his insights into Life, after life, which Aeolus House published in the fall of 2024.

To read the review in full, click here.

Please check out Ontario poet K. V. Skene’s thoughtful and welcome response to JC’s 3rd poetry collection, Life, after life—from epitaph to epilogue.