Summer Drinks and Reads - Poetry

Written by the Tidings Staff | 16 July 2010

Poetry

Jacqueline Borowick, Le chant du coucou (Inanna Publications)

Through the prism of a marginal child puzzled about her true identity, Le chant de coucou / The Cuckoo’s Song, a collection of 63 poems in French and English, adds vivid flourishes to the drab canvas of the Great Depression and celebrates the indomitable spirit of the men and women who joined the Gold Rush to Val d’Or in Northwestern Quebec, in the 1930s and ‘40s. The community they carved, diverse and inclusive, their struggles, their joie de vivre—filaments of gold in the poet’s memory.

Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company — Lugtread Lagered Ale
A beer to match the indomitable spirit of men and women. The retro tractor on the bottle and the layers of flavours in the beer provide a perfect backdrop.

Reif Estate’s Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
These two traditional French grape varieties, together, create a unique blend that unifies them into a new identity. A fitting match to Jacqueline Borowick’s collection of 63 poems in French and English, written through the prism of a marginal child puzzled about her true identity.

Michèle Matteau, Passerelles (Les Éditions L’Interligne)

Recounting the unfolding of a single day in parallel with the seasons of the year, Michèle Matteau’s first poetry collection, Passerelles, explores the human journey. From the day’s dawning to the last light of dusk, the author recalls voices that have fallen silent and uses lines full of imagery to evoke the stages of their lives, their secret songs and calls for help, torn between joy and pain, certainty and doubt, revolt and acceptance. With lucid understanding, the author uses the stories of their lives to define her own more clearly.

Cameron’s Brewing Company — Dark 266
On a journey of four seasons in one day, this beer will be an ideal companion. Refreshing for the gentle moments, but full of flavourful roasted malts to compliment more intense times. In the end, a smooth and comforting finish.

Norman Hardie’s Melon de Bourgogne
Michèle Matteau’s poetry is so reflective of the many days we spend labouring in the vineyards and cellar growing and crafting premium wines. The many facets and interaction of terroir, human skill and moods as well as dedication and focus makes this poetic piece the perfect match to enjoy with our Melon de Bourgogne. Light, refreshing, perfect for those long summer days on the patio, just enjoying life. Ideal as an aperitif, fantastic with oysters, crustaceans or a perfect alternative with a light lunch.

Karen Solie, Pigeon (House of Anansi Press)

Karen Solie’s first collection of poems, Short Haul Engine, launched her writing career to prominence, winning many awards and citations. She continued her upward trajectory with Modern and Normal and this collection is another leap forward. The poems are X-rays of our delusions and mistaken perceptions, explorations of violence, bad luck, fate, creeping catastrophe, love, and the eros of danger. Once again, Solie shows that her ear is impeccable, her poetic intelligence rare and razor-sharp.

Niagara’s Best Brewery — General Brock Stout
The darkness belies the fate and creeping catastrophe. Stout meaning “strong” will provide the instensity to match the tone of the poems.

Pelee Island Winery’s Late Harvest Riesling
Anyone who works with the land can identify with Karen Solie’s observations. Pelee Island Winery’s Late Harvest Riesling reflects the sweet reward that comes with such an iconic struggle. It is an ideal balance of cool-climate acidity with a fragrant orchard fresh aroma and a delicate peach bouquet. A lovely wine to savour while pondering the elegance of Solie’s poetry.

Matthew Tierney, The Hayflick Limit (Coach House Books)

The Hayflick Limit concerns itself with boundaries of the cosmic and sub-atomic – how the mind contains both – and the sadsack creatures in the nexus, human beings. What does it mean to be an intelligent species? What does it mean to be an intelligent person? Shifting focus between the limits of the telescope and the limits of the microscope, the poems in Matthew Tierney’s second collection place a premium on inventiveness while embracing extremes of fear, pain, cognition and time.

MacLean’s Ales — Farmhouse Ale
This refreshing ale will provide a gentle grounding on your journey through the extremes of fear, pain, cognition and time.

Black Prince Winery’s Cabernet Franc
Humans have an unlimited passion for wine and food but are bound in time and space. Cabernet Franc is timeless, transcending the boundaries of the human condition. When paired with lamb this combination proves out of this world – almost heavenly, touching the senses ... leaving one longing for another.

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