What the Poets Are Doing

Book excerpt: In 2002, Nightwood published Where the Words Come From: Canadian Poets in Conversation, a successful first-of-its-kind collection of interviews with literary luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Avison, Patrick Lane, Lorna Crozier and P.K. Page, conducted by “the younger generation” of poets of the day. Sixteen years later, What the Poets Are Doing brings together two younger generations of poets to engage in conversations with their peers on modern-day poetics, politics and more. Together they explore the world of Canadian poetry in the new millennium: what's changed, what's endured and what's next. An exciting “turn of the century” has evolved into a century characterized by social and digital media, the Donald Trump presidency, #MeToo empowerment and scandal, and Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation. Should we look to our poets as our most articulate analysts and critics of these times? Are they competing with social media or at one with social media? Poets in Conversation: Elizabeth Bachinsky and Kayla Czaga Tim Bowling and Raoul Fernandes Dionne Brand and Souvankham Thammavongsa Marilyn Dumont and Katherena Vermette Sue Goyette and Linda Besner Steven Heighton and Ben Ladouceur Sina Queyras and Canisia Lubrin Armand Garnet Ruffo and Liz Howard Karen Solie and Amanda Jernigan Russell Thornton and Phoebe Wang Afterword co-written by Nick Thran and Sue Sinclair