radiant danse uv being
i recall perfectly my first sighting of bill bissett at the vancouver poetry conference in the summer of 1963 after which we became friends with a deepening of friendship a few weeks later when we all took peyote at his ground-floor loft at york street by kits beach.
43 years later we are better friends than ever i think, after many expansions and contractions of distances including perhaps a decade of not seeing or being seen at all, and we are still neighbours at least some part of every year.
there is one thing that i undertstand which is that there is no one i know who is more loyal and true to our spirit or more generous and open to his friends and perhaps everyone.
about two years ago i was invited to contribute to this anthology, collection of poets friends admirers and believers, a loving tribute and celebration of a life’s work and inspiration. today my copy arrived in the mail, very exciting, beautiful book i am very honoured to have a poem in, also my photo of bill inside with editors jeff pew and stephen roxborough, whom i thank profusely for not giving up on me. they found the poem i didn’t think i could write and there it is in black and white.
if i were you i would get this book. i imagine it’ll be in stores soon but you can get it at nightwood editions or better yet come to the party
party:
May 18 Vancouver
The Ironworks
(as well as the launch of radiant danse uv being, bill is having an
art show!)
also these places:
April 20th Cranbrook, B.C. (Poetry on the Rocks @ the Stage Door)
April 21st Kimberley, B.C. (Poetry on the Rocks @ Centre 64)
May 19 Victoria
Solstice cafe
June 1 Toronto
Clinton‚s Tavern
Fall, 06 Calgary
(sheri-d wilson is making plans)