Hey all, our June 17th meeing is set. We will be hosting White Rock editrix, writer, literary coach, communications consultant, blues-groover, cultural creative, and BC Federation of Writers President Sylvia Taylor, who will be presenting on the subject of memoir.

With everyone from Dave Eggers to James Frey to Socks the Cat jumping on the memoir bandwagon, it’s more important than ever to understand what makes a good story stand out. And of course, there’s always the thorny issue of literal versus subjective truth; when is it a novel and when is it autobiography?

Sylvia Taylor is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, instructor and literary coach in Metro Vancouver, with a passionate commitment to communication and the arts.

Through her business, Sylvia Taylor Communications, she writes articles and commissioned works, coaches authors of all levels and ilkes, consults with business and not-for-profits, and edits in all genres.

She is President of the Fed of BC Writers, and when not teaching in conferences and writing programs, she’s dancin’ up a storm somewhere.

Dorothy Ducksworth

…Nor will the thought forget,
after wandering many years
nor absence hold its breath,
these sharp words on lofty ears,
Yet this green pastoral heath’ t’were to me
a baby’s breath, and I could start afresh
ne’er worrying about death!

Clowns

On longer shallows,
fall dim shadows,
Bathes the scene
in light serene.
A thrush swallows,
a wolf howls
in linden green, in linden green…
A sharp shriek, the voice peals
fresh peeled voices, thresh!
It will be soon,
It will be soon -
It is coming…
in a forgotten place
It is forgotten lore,
like a child bored
Who happens upon
clowns fucking!
And understands nothing
But the unusual laughter,
enjoys the rapture
And starts to feign.

The King is Inn

For God’s sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of dead kings:
How some have been deposed, some disposed of,
some slain by war, the haunted ghosts they have oppressed,
Some poisoning their wives, some poisoned by their lives,
All murdered in their sleep — for posterity
’round mortal coil and suffering
Death suffers his crown, Scoffing his state,
and planning his estate with pomp,
Allowing him a gown of gentle breezes
To monarchize the kingdom, in which he reigned
Confusing him with self, with loyal subjects
As if this flesh that walls about our life
Were one great beast; and, humours us,
Comes home at the last, and, with a little grin
Bores through your castle wall — you fucking clown!

luigi
rote by me

the wired monk in crescent beach tonight had its 2nd
anniversary open mic.  there was cake and lots of
poets and musicians.  i read kramer vs kramer;

Prelude

What makes us different in Canada from the US?
Do we even have a Canadian identity?

There is this lady in New York Harbor welcoming the
world to America, “Give me your tired, your weary
huddled masses, yearning to breathe free…” The words
from Emma Lazarus’ poem

Michael Richards (Kramer) of Seinfeld fame pulled a
Mel Gibson recently, finding out that racism is indeed
not funny.

I heard it from a friend of a friend of mine, this is
the truth behind the story in a poem:

Kramer vs Kramer – The Untold Story

I was born with good judgment
No, I wasn’t,
Then I read that Book of Judges and became judgmental
Feeling like I was being judged by everyone,
I would judge everyone!
and become prejudice,
What is the difference between
Chinese racism, Jewish racism, Polish racism, Negro
racism, Hispanic racism, Aryan racism, French racism,
Irish racism, English racism, Russian racism, Japanese
racism, Arab racism, Trailer Trash racism, Redneck
racism, Indian racism, Aboriginal racism, Reverse
racism…
Did I forget anyone?
It’s a tribal thing, going back to pre-racist times
I have become white with fear
that races through us saying, “Can I trust you
not to kill?”
Racism means they can run faster than you,
Is that why gentlemen prefer blondes?
Hate and anger toward myself, when I should revel in
human wealth
as diverse as antiquity,

Welcome to Canada
Join the human race!
Where everybody has a face
We all came here from somewhere
Integration vs segregation
This brings up feelings about everything,
It’s called life

cheers,
luc the poet