Hi, everyone, subscribers and random readers alike. It’s Poetry Night, the night I drop some brand new selections of verse for your reading pleasure. The use of words and those who use words for a living are the themes of tonight’s offerings.
But first, a quick commercial break 😄.
If You’re Interested in the Poetry You See Here… You Might Want to Check Out Some More…
My first collection of poetry is out.
Since Substack doesn’t have the setup for this (that I’m aware of), I’ve set up something at my WordPress sister site, Liegois Media. I have my own Internet storefront page where you can order my chapbook for $6 per copy. The link is below.
Over the years I’ve spent writing in all forms and genres, there’s always been a balancing act between using mountains of words to paint vivid mental pictures or construct grand arguments and keeping what you write short and to the point. Combining this observation with Miles Davis’ statements about how the notes a musician doesn’t play have more significance than the ones they do play were inspiration for this piece.
Words and Spaces
Fort Madison, Iowa, 22 August 2025
Over time in the years I’ve worked and weaved with words
I’ve used ones which were impactful, obscure, theatrical, stylish, and elaborate.
At times they overcrowded my work
Weary football fans packing onto too-small benches for forgotten games and reasons.
But over years I’ve come to learn
The spaces between words
The things left unsaid and unattended for the reader to ponder
Make a meaningful effect.
Earlier this week was the ninth anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s final live show in their hometown of Windsor, Toronto, Canada. The legendary Canadian band was at the end of its final tour after vocalist and primary songwriter Gord Downie announced he had terminal brain cancer. He’d die a year later at just 53 years old.
I had been vaguely aware of the band during its growth into prominence during the early 90’s, but they were always more Canada’s band than other great Canadian musical acts that found cross-border appeal. Unfortunately, I didn’t get into them heavily until just before his death, so I’ve had to spend the time since sifting through three decades worth of fantastic music.
Tonight, I figured a dude who once wrote a song called “Poets” was probably a good subject for one.
Words to Remember Gord (A Memorial)
Fort Madison, Iowa, 20 August 2025
I remember the sight of you in white
Jaunty white top hat
Knife-edge lean but a grin as wide as the Ontario prairies
Singing for your home and people with a ferocity born
Knowing it was the last time.
Knowing Death was gathering you up, preparing your space,
As you stood tall on the stage.
You sung of death long before it reached you,
But also of love, friendship, loss, home, and life
You were a poet even as you said not to tell you of them
And what I learned from you is
Life has no dress rehearsal
It is now.
Well, hope I gave you some enjoyment tonight. Hope the rest of August goes well for you. Take care, everyone.
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