14 Sightings of Something Lifelike

While helping out at the centre's popular art program last fall, McGill social work stagière Greg Rickhaus initiated poetry workshops for interested members. Each week he and anyone else that felt like showing up would meet in different locations, from coffee shops to metro stations to McGill University's front steps, where they'd write, discuss poetry or listen to each other's stories.

A selection of the resulting poems are accompanied in 14 Sightings by authors' photos and bios, as well as email addresses readers can use to contact the writers (they can check their email at the Centre). Having their work published in this professional, colourful format is a big deal for the writers.

"There's a lot of pride in the book," says Rickhaus. "It's a very big step to have your own poetry in a book [...] In a poem, you've poured down your heart. The hard things on your mind are out there, raw, for whoever wants to see. The book was an opportunity for growth."

Currently for sale at the St-James Drop-in Centre, 14 Sightings will be officially launched at the end of September. Co-ordinators are also seeking other locations around the city to sell the book. For more information, email info@stjamescentre.ca or phone 514-288-0039.

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Poetry from Aspiring Writers     This is an admirabvle intitiative a social worker is behind, creating a forum for the homeless who may also be potentially inspired writers. I hope to see more of this type of work only there is one issue to raise. Poetry doesn't sell. At least in Montreal, one could try and make a difference throught the hour like this by appealing to people's compassion. Maybe there are other venues out there willing to offer other platforms to present poured heart writings, like the newly revamped Cinema V, but with the closing of Book Hook and a greater spending on university texts as opposed to buying fringe poetry, promoting this stuff is a tough call.
Martin Dansky		September 20th, 2006

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