Bowering

I've known George since 1963. I have not seen him often over the years. While I was busy trying to do nothing and remain unknown he was busy elsewhere, writing many books, winning prestigious literary prizes, becoming Canada's first Poet Laureate . . . things like that. In October I ran into him at a Rashied Ali gig at The Cellar. George, I said, I'm going to get in touch with you and buy you a coffee. Thus began one of the great literary correspondences of 21st century English-Canadian culture. A hundred emails (I exaggerate only slightly) over a nine-month period (no exaggeration) culminated today at an historic meeting over coffee and muffins at the Wired Monk on Fourth Avenue. As it turned out, George bought the coffee. Tomorrow, the story of the Fidel/Camilo poster. [See also: Lime Shake Lolita]