Press Release: May 24, 2009
Arc Poetry Magazine 62 (Summer 2009): Ghazal Mania
- An examination of the work of John Thompson and his innovation with the Ghazal form in English.
- Plus: New poetry from Stuart Ross, Susan Glickman, Michael Lista, Troy Jollimore and more!
For its issue #62 (Summer 2009) Arc Poetry Magazine has added a special feature to its usual roster of great poetry, reviews, and essays: an examination of the work of John Thompson, his profound influence on poets working in Canada today, and his innovation with the ghazal form in English.
The poems and ideas of four writers from the heart of Arc special feature, White Salt Mountain: A Gathering of Poets for John Thompson – which spring from the one-day festival by the same mane that was held in Sackville, New Brunswick on November 1, 2008. Festival organizer Janna Graham interviews Peter Sanger, Amanda Jernigan, Allan Cooper and Harry Thurston on the place that Thompson’s work has occupied in their lives as writers and readers. Poetry from each member of this Thompson crew is featured. This work is set against the backdrop of Rob Winger’s “Brief History of the Canadian Ghazal”, and an essay on the work of John Thompson by the pre-eminent Thompson scholar Peter Sanger.
The issue also features new poetry wherein Stuart Ross is sorry, Susan Glickman wants outta here, Michael Lista observes Slotin, Troy Jollimore meets Tom Thompson in disguise, and Polish poet Tadeusz Dabrowski asks (with the help of translator Antonia Lloyd-James), “How many times have I died already?”
True to form, the issue also includes a wonderful visual art portfolio (in this case by Vancouver artist Jessica Bell) and a hearty dose of the most pertinent, thoughtful and tough-minded reviews on Canadian poetry you’ll find anywhere country. In this issue, for example, Carmine Starnino dubs David O’Meara the travel poet for a new generation; Zach Wells is seduced by the tiny works of Souvankham Thammavongsa; and Shane Neilson wrestles with the great potential of Griffin nominee Jeramy Dodds.
Arc Poetry Magazine is available on newsstands now, or through the website: www.arcpoetry.ca. Here can also be found information on contests, free webzines, and upcoming issues—including our inaugural Arc Annual: How Poems Work.
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Arc 62, Summer 2009
