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Continuing in a long-established tradition of poetry excellence, this collection of 50 poems is culled from Canadian literary magazines and journals. The handpicked selection includes the best, and most current, representations of the vibrant Canadian poetry scene. This distinguished volume offers both a convenient introduction to contemporary poets in Canada and a collectible yearbook for seasoned poetry readers, distilled by the esteemed editorial tastes of a new guest editor and an accomplished poetry editor.

The Best Canadian Poetry Theme

Slug Life
I am told that I am made of stars.
I have been told
that the energy of supernovas,
the same energy that gives birth to stars
pulses in the palm of my hand.
I was the fastest sperm.
I beat millions to the prize
and my reward was this life.
So what went wrong?
Why am I staring at a spoon
on my bedroom floor?
Instead of picking it up
and putting it where it belongs,
I am asking how it got there,
when it happened and what I used it for?
I am slacker galaxy.
The sperm that grew to become a slug.



 


Slug Life by Oliver Sullivan


It's not about running from something. Think movement. The way corduroy pumps, ridges bristle against each other, against thighs, against knees, against calves, against boredom. Pants that energize, that set legs up to work together, become stronger, change the atmosphere. Arms pummel air, they make a playground a forest. Pilled grey is more than a sweater's failure, rustic opulence of buttons and wool amongst the cradle of oaks, the possibility of bears. It's about motion, the swing of sleeves, shoes that punch dry leaves, freedom to alter the landscape.


Marathon by Dina Del Bucchia

Don Draper by Nyla Matuk

Like I Care is set in Vancouver a year or two into the future, when everything is just like it is now, apart from the invasion of monsters from Japanese Horror movies, the frequent earthquakes, and the army of scooter-riding Yé-Yé girls taking over the streets. The characters include a couple of families who live in an upscale suburb. Arnold is a struggling real-estate agent who is going through a divorce from Katherine, who believes she is Princess Diana. Their daughter, Christiana, is an aspiring model. Lawrence, their neighbour, has retired from his civil service career and is now a consultant who specializes in writing pointless mission statements. He’s plotting an affair with a young woman who belongs to a cannibal cult led by a chef who has created the perfect Canadian cuisine—eating the corrupt. Lawrence’s blended family includes Dorothy, his wife, and her son Thomas, who has dropped out of university and discovered that his true vocation is watching daytime TV. They’re all about to be transformed through the influence of legendary New-Age financier and evangelist of globalization Mitchell Mobius. Thomas becomes his evil twin, Raoul, and joins Mobius in founding a company that markets obsolete trends. Christiana is transformed into a media icon without her knowledge or consent. Arnold also jumps on the Mitchell Mobius bandwagon and finds himself in Taiwan just in time for the invasion. Fear, uncertainty, disinformation: that’s the mantra of the 21st century, and Arnold and his friends are living it to the hilt.

Like I Care Chapter 31 by Steven Guppy

Ray Robertson's 2003 collection of essays Mental Hygiene was published by Insomniac Press. He is co-editor of Best Canadian Esays 2012 published by Tightrope Books.

Mental Hygeine Ray Robertson

the poem sky busting by heather haley from her collection of poetry three blocks west of wonderland published by ekstasis editions in 2009

Three Blocks West of Wonderland by Heather Haley

The Juliet Stories is a novel in stories by Carrie Snyder. It was published by House of Anansi in 2012.

The Juliet Stories by Carrie Snyder

The Dead Kid Detective Agency by Evan Munday was published by ECW Press in 2011.

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