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Ms. Lyric's Poetry Outlaws

Ms. Lyric's Poetry Outlaws

By catherine owen

Join poet Catherine Owen as she reads poems, talks about the poetry world and interviews poets.
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Episode 30: Heather Haley interview Parts One and Two

Ms. Lyric's Poetry OutlawsDec 10, 2021

00:00
30:13
Episode 12: Trisia Eddy Woods conversation!

Episode 12: Trisia Eddy Woods conversation!

Plus so much more: a Joe Rosenblatt poem, chat on the Griffin and books and weird people and a good Netgalley review and being number one and also Trisia reads two poems and we guffaw mightily! Enjoy :)
Mar 22, 202401:25:58
Episode 11: Homages to Virna Sheard and Floris Clark McLaren

Episode 11: Homages to Virna Sheard and Floris Clark McLaren

Very early and in one case, underestimated, Canadian women poets plus a poem on Dorothy Wordsworth, chat about a good Netgalley review, the revelations of the ER, my new book and so much more ;) Enjoy!
Mar 16, 202432:19
Episode 10: Joanna Streetly conversation

Episode 10: Joanna Streetly conversation

On happy international women’s day! Joanna reads her poem Gyre, we talk grief, the environment, hauntings, language, colonialism, aging as a woman, being a penurious artist and the power of community. I also read some positive responses to my home arts salon episode and a poem by a long dead Canadian woman poet. Celebrate! And enjoy outlaws!
Mar 08, 202401:16:24
Episode 9: Elizabeth Brewster (1922-2012) homage

Episode 9: Elizabeth Brewster (1922-2012) homage

Plus a reading of an Anne Stevenson poem, a 1958 list of what Canadian poetry is by Ralph Gustafson, a rant against Net Galley (not gallery!) reviews, an intro in which I talk book merch and express gratitude for Marrow review response THEN a recitation of an Elizabeth Brewster poem and snippet of discussion from Wyoming prof Tim McGee, then EB’s bio, memory and poem. Enjoy!
Mar 02, 202434:39
Episode 8: Why run a Home Art Salon?

Episode 8: Why run a Home Art Salon?

This question is answered by historical websites and Canadian creators and myself with my personal experiences and general tips. It’s fun! Also a poem by Alice Oswald and a few poetry-based rants. Enjoy!
Feb 22, 202459:25
Episode 7: Anne Wilkinson, an homage

Episode 7: Anne Wilkinson, an homage

My usual aural collage of bits of her reading Penelope from the Six Toronto Poets album in 1955, bio stuff, excerpts from a 1984 CBC tribute featuring letters from Alan Crawley, a snippet of her prose and me reading Still Life. Plus an intro on emotion, rejection, acknowledgments and reading freakishly in front of Walmart. Enjoy!
Feb 16, 202426:54
Episode 6: Sonja Greckol, a conversation

Episode 6: Sonja Greckol, a conversation

In which I chat about podcast and text recommendations amid my minor grimness then, after an author bio and book intro, interview the spunky and brilliant Sonja from Toronto. She reads two segments from her long Mobius poem (in Monitoring Station), and we rap about gardening, science, grandparenting, community composition, reading voraciously, translation and the pandemic. It’s full of laughs! Truly. Enjoy.
Feb 09, 202454:00
Episode 5: Performing your Poetry

Episode 5: Performing your Poetry

My mini-lecture featuring an excerpt from my anthology The Other 23 and a Half Hours (you can hear a shorter excerpt from this relating to performing on Season 2, Ep 16), some quotes from poets on peformance and my yays and nays of what I like and don’t like about poetry performances. Featuring interspersed clips of me from 2015, Maya Angelou (1987), John Berryman (1967), Aiya (2019), Rudy Francisco (2024) and Adeena Karasik (2010). Enjoy!
Feb 03, 202439:43
Episode 4: Brian Brett, a wild homage.

Episode 4: Brian Brett, a wild homage.

With bio, memories, bits n pieces, personal encounters, prose and two poems, one recited by him and one by me. And first, I rant and rave about anthology editors, the need for higher paying review jobs, and why we need to always be renewing our risk relationship to our art. Enjoy! And rest in fierceness Brian!!
Jan 27, 202440:51
Episode 3: Donna Kane, a conversation

Episode 3: Donna Kane, a conversation

In which I first talk criticism, the plagiarism machine, trying to make a living in the arts, the inanity of excessively identity-politicked bios, and nod to Brian Brett, who died this week and who I will pay homage to the next episode. Then I intro Donna, how we met, her books and we have a lively repartee for the next 45 minutes on her poems, of which she reads two, after we get through a recitation of two old pieces that we had published together long ago, and before we talk the moon, other species, the sonnet, humour, poetic development and the need for reviews and better communication in the small world of Canpo :) Enjoy!
Jan 20, 202401:03:12
Episode 2: Spotlight Homage on Jay Macpherson

Episode 2: Spotlight Homage on Jay Macpherson

1931-2012. Intro on blurbs and Plath. Then Macpherson’s bio, a bit from Tanis MacDonald on finding her plaque and house, obit, scholarly stuff, the Frye School, Atwood remembers and before and after I read two of her poems then at the end (following a random ad!) you can hear Jay herself reading Whale from 1957’s The Boatman. Enjoy!
Jan 13, 202429:48
Season Ten: Episode 1. Happy 2024. I talk Best Canadian poetry anthologies.

Season Ten: Episode 1. Happy 2024. I talk Best Canadian poetry anthologies.

Mostly 2010 (edited by Lorna Crozier) vs 2024 (selected by Bardia Sinaee). I include review excerpts, comparisons and contrasts relating to intros, formats, bios, notes, style etc and end by reading my poem White Sale from 2010 and Carolyn Smart’s piece Ashes from 2024. My raspy cold-gritty voice goes in and out of rough but at least I don’t cough! Enjoy!!
Jan 06, 202439:57
Episode 18: The final Poet in Iceland with song, story snippet, interview with Barbara Kerr, a poem

Episode 18: The final Poet in Iceland with song, story snippet, interview with Barbara Kerr, a poem

The last collage with two verses of a tune by Krummi, a teensy bit of a story about a troll Alda told in the car, my prattle about the residency”s benefits, a long interview with psychologist of the creative brain, Barb Kerr from Kansas, and a poem, yes, I wrote this morning at the creek. Enjoy! Skol!!
Oct 30, 202301:04:02
Episode 17: An Icelandic fly, the tale of a trailer park and a poem by me

Episode 17: An Icelandic fly, the tale of a trailer park and a poem by me

Called Turning Back. The profiteering government/aka the dangers of high winds forced the evacuation of a trailer park in 2021-22 in Laugarvatn. What’s left? I find a nest. Recite a creek lyric. I heard a fly buzz when I did not yet die. Enjoy!
Oct 27, 202309:31
Episode 16: The Women’s Strike in Iceland and two fisherwomen from the 1700s

Episode 16: The Women’s Strike in Iceland and two fisherwomen from the 1700s

One a poet called Latra-Bjorg with a quatrain (1716) and a bit of a song plus the start of a talk about her and the former a famous worker of the sea known as Thurithur (1750) with a minute of a lecture on her. Plus an overview of the strike yesterday and the need for equality and respect and freedom from fear so we can live fully and create. Enjoy!
Oct 25, 202310:26
Episode 15: Interview with Alda from Gullkistan Artist Residency

Episode 15: Interview with Alda from Gullkistan Artist Residency

In which, post our art presentation, in two parts she speaks of the residency, her own history as an artist, feminism, the way artists are treated in Iceland and how she learned poetry. First she recites a bit of Thaw Wind by Stephan G Stephansson and then at the end a short piece from a slim pink book by a young poet called Solveig Thoroddson. Enjoy!
Oct 23, 202352:59
Episode 14: A poet in Iceland and Moskvit and Volcanism

Episode 14: A poet in Iceland and Moskvit and Volcanism

A poem by Jonas Thorbjarnarson but first a clip from the song Human Error by Moskvit whom I danced to last night and a chat about things I’ve noticed in Iceland about language, driving and attitude. Enjoy!
Oct 21, 202313:18
Episode 13: A poet in Iceland’s daily routine and a poem by Rachel Jamison Webster

Episode 13: A poet in Iceland’s daily routine and a poem by Rachel Jamison Webster

Called Wintering. She’s an American poet who was in residency at Gullkistan and whose book I found here! Plus what I do every day. And the rain. Enjoy!
Oct 20, 202310:35
Episode 12: A poet in Iceland with a tragic lyric and a rawlings on jokklar

Episode 12: A poet in Iceland with a tragic lyric and a rawlings on jokklar

I talk about my day trip to Vik and Skogafoss and first play a recording of a 1750-1800 song about Hella and her drowned child, then read from a piece about Icelandic poetry as it relates to nationhood, and then end with a rawlings teaching us Icelandic by using the word for glacier. Enjoy!
Oct 18, 202314:06
Episode 11: A poet in Iceland and Louise Gluck

Episode 11: A poet in Iceland and Louise Gluck

There is a cat in here and birds and some emotion and Gluck reading her poppy poem and me reading her mock orange one and critiquing her poetry a bit and thanking her for her life in art.
Oct 14, 202309:02
Episode 10: A poet in Iceland with a folk song and a lyric

Episode 10: A poet in Iceland with a folk song and a lyric

One based on an old Norse poem translated into Icelandic and English and the other my lyric of the day called Species. About the wind. Which is making me tired. But hey, life goes on. Enjoy!
Oct 13, 202310:16
Episode 9: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Gerdur Kristny

Episode 9: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Gerdur Kristny

Called North in first her Icelandic and later my English. With chat in between about my migraine, reviewing and the hostel yesterday! Enjoy!!
Oct 11, 202308:31
Episode 8: A poet in Iceland plus a Stephan G Stephansson poem

Episode 8: A poet in Iceland plus a Stephan G Stephansson poem

Called First Snow and a storm and the weather and an interruption and talk of forms and notions of simplicity and happy anniversary to my parents! Enjoy :)
Oct 10, 202310:09
Episode 7: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Arni Kristjansson

Episode 7: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Arni Kristjansson

Also the conclusion (for now?) of the Fiddlehead-gate review scandal. I talk of spas and firepits and crepes and read a stokkur quatrain in Icelandic and English called To the Mountains.
Oct 09, 202315:54
Episode 6: A poet in Iceland and a poem by myself

Episode 6: A poet in Iceland and a poem by myself

Called Icelandic Autumn. Been writing about a poem a day here. Also more on the Fiddlehead review. David Orr on another poetic debate. The moon at three am. Pronouncing words correctly. An article on Icelandic poetry. Enjoy!
Oct 07, 202314:07
Episode 5: A poet in Iceland and The Patriotic Poem by Gerdur Kristny

Episode 5: A poet in Iceland and The Patriotic Poem by Gerdur Kristny

Plus I chat a bit more about the Riddle and Fiddlehead controversy (let us see the review so we can have our own respectful discussion as required in a democracy!) There is also a waterfall. Enjoy!
Oct 06, 202311:17
Episode 4: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Frieda Isberg

Episode 4: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Frieda Isberg

Called Fragile Things. After I speak of the traffic and a mysterious swing in the woods and random human crap interrupting the chance for delusional purity.
Oct 04, 202306:07
Episode 3: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Vala Thorodds

Episode 3: A poet in Iceland and a poem by Vala Thorodds

In which I speak of hot pots, walks, routine, a cemetary, myself as Iceland, the Fiddlehead controversy, sensitive poets and talk about Icelandic poetry then read a poem by Vala Thorodds. Enjoy!
Oct 03, 202313:45
Episode 2: A poet in Iceland plus a Lisa Robertson piece

Episode 2: A poet in Iceland plus a Lisa Robertson piece

Where I speak of windstorms and walks and the moss and discombobulation and a random encounter and read a Robertson piece from The Weather. Enjoy!
Oct 02, 202307:21
Season 9. Episode 1: A poet in Iceland; a poem by Stephan G Stephansson

Season 9. Episode 1: A poet in Iceland; a poem by Stephan G Stephansson

I was jet lagged. I talk about literary encounters en route to Iceland. I attempt to recite a poem Morningshine in Icelandic, then its English translation (by Kristjana Gunnars). Enjoy!
Sep 30, 202313:07
Episode 56: Louise Gluck’s Faithful and Virtuous Night

Episode 56: Louise Gluck’s Faithful and Virtuous Night

A ten minute recitation of this long poem of childhood. And so I end Season 8 here. Until anon, stay fierce!
Sep 22, 202310:59
Episode 55: A Roger Whittaker tribute and an Homage to Elizabeth Brewster

Episode 55: A Roger Whittaker tribute and an Homage to Elizabeth Brewster

Also I talk the shift of seasons, physical pain and the need for fewer interruptions as a poet. And honour Roger with a poem (1936-2023) then remember Elizabeth (1922-2012). Enjoy!
Sep 21, 202315:36
Episode 54: Elaborations between Sydney Lancaster and Deborah Carruthers

Episode 54: Elaborations between Sydney Lancaster and Deborah Carruthers

Chat on poetry from an artist! Also I speak of my hip, the bookbox, coffee, a magpie. And read as requested a tiny Vincent Ewen poem called Daedalus’ Dream. Enjoy!
Sep 20, 202314:22
Episode 53: WB Yeats’ Among Schoolchildren (1928)

Episode 53: WB Yeats’ Among Schoolchildren (1928)

From my father’s 1950 Modern Poetry collection. Enjoy!
Sep 19, 202304:33
Episode 52: Poetic this n that on the term poet, poetic resistances, and honouring experience.

Episode 52: Poetic this n that on the term poet, poetic resistances, and honouring experience.

Plus I introduce the last week of Season 8, read an excerpt from Ben Lerner’s essay-book The Hatred of Poetry and end with the poem A Minor Crush of Cells by Chase Twichell. Enjoy!
Sep 18, 202318:22
Episode 51: Snake by DH Lawrence

Episode 51: Snake by DH Lawrence

From 1923. Always loved this piece. Not too long but still around five minutes to recite. Enjoy!
Sep 15, 202305:27
Episode 50: Don Domanski homage

Episode 50: Don Domanski homage

1950-2020. I chat about my perspectives on environmental vs eco poetry and give his bio, thoughts on his work and end with a short lyric of his on Biodiversity. Thanks Don. You make me think. Enjoy!
Sep 14, 202312:08
Episode 49: Three things I don’t understand about funding, press kits and workshop approaches.

Episode 49: Three things I don’t understand about funding, press kits and workshop approaches.

Yeah why cut funding to worthy awards? Why use words like selling points for books of poems? Why need prompts to write? My reactions. And a short poem by Estonian poet Jaan Kaplinkski on Autumn. Enjoy!
Sep 13, 202315:45
Episode 48: Jorie Graham’s Self Portrait at Three Degrees

Episode 48: Jorie Graham’s Self Portrait at Three Degrees

From her 2017 book Fast. With a rain-sound humidifier in the background and it is recited haltingly at the dashes, chanted for the arrows and flowed through once the text assembles. Enjoy!
Sep 12, 202304:43
Episode 47: Lists and what they mean for the Poet.

Episode 47: Lists and what they mean for the Poet.

Plus how social media has made us passive and streaming services have spoiled us. Then I end with an apropos Emily Dickinson poem! Enjoy.
Sep 11, 202310:39
Episode 46: Jenny Johnson’s In Full Velvet

Episode 46: Jenny Johnson’s In Full Velvet

The titular poem from her 2017 collection. Sensuous science. Enjoy!
Sep 08, 202304:48
Episode 45: A peek into one poet’s studio

Episode 45: A peek into one poet’s studio

In which you get a tour around the books, plants, knick-knacks and other wonders of my world. What’s your writing studio like? And I close by reading a section of Mark Strand’s Dark Harbor from 1993. Enjoy!
Sep 07, 202315:20
Episode 44: Tim Lander Homage (1938-2023)

Episode 44: Tim Lander Homage (1938-2023)

In which I begin with his tin whistle, then natter on about conversations in the hood, and then give you some bits of how I met Tim, his bio and end with a little satirical lyric on Professors of Poetry. Enjoy!
Sep 06, 202316:28
Episode 43: The New Canon (06) vs The Best Canadian Poetry (23)

Episode 43: The New Canon (06) vs The Best Canadian Poetry (23)

The first edited by Carmine Starnino with the focus being on craft and style and the latter edited by John Barton and attending to identity. The numbers of varied types is distinct; are the poems by Suzanne Buffam and Armand Garnet Russo I opted to read at the end? Or has our focus and inclusivity just changed?
Sep 05, 202312:40
Episode 42: Dorothy Livesay, an Homage

Episode 42: Dorothy Livesay, an Homage

For Labour Day as this Canadian poet who lived from 1909-1996 was a passionate defender of worker’s rights and feminism. I talk a bit about her bio (read Journey with my Selves for much more!) and recite her poem The Unquiet Bed. Enjoy!
Sep 04, 202308:53
Episode 41: Muck from a Poet’s Mind or Two Months from a Phone’s Notes Ap

Episode 41: Muck from a Poet’s Mind or Two Months from a Phone’s Notes Ap

Yeah. It’s September! No wonder I need to purge my brain. Here ya go: scrawlings about Iceland, CC grants, book tours, mushrooms, rodeos, students, new poetic forms and a short lyric about nothingness. Enjoy!
Sep 01, 202310:26
Episode 40: Jan Zwicky’s Far from Rome

Episode 40: Jan Zwicky’s Far from Rome

That I didn’t mention is of course also from Best Canadian Poetry 2023. A beautiful piece. Though I am down. This did help. Enjoy!
Aug 31, 202314:50
Episode 39: Social Poetics by Mark Nowak.

Episode 39: Social Poetics by Mark Nowak.

A book of solidarity with worker-poets around the world! I read its descriptor, chapter headings, explain its essential premises and read one of the poems by a hole-punch operator, a woman called Zheng Xiaoquiong. Poetry is freedom beyond institution and safety.
Aug 30, 202312:02
Episode 38: Alice Major LIVE at 94th street Trobairitz

Episode 38: Alice Major LIVE at 94th street Trobairitz

With a recitation from Roan Stallion for my Inhuman drummer Aren (RIP March 13, 2023) and a chat about my absence and various audience reflections! Enjoy.
Aug 29, 202324:59
Episode 37: Helen Han Wei Luo’s Consider the Peony

Episode 37: Helen Han Wei Luo’s Consider the Peony

From the Best Can Po 2023. It’s raining; I’m leaving again; this is a sensory narrative poem of immigration and loss. Enjoy!
Aug 18, 202311:40