Heather Haley's Blog

“Woe to you… You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”—Matthew 23:27 VIRGIN TERRITORY Bodyworker.Your body, not mine.My body’s slottedinto the designated white room,your chosen present,gift-wrappedwith the glossy illusion of consent. My mind is aswarmwith instructionsit cannot […]

SPANGLED NATION SPEWING From Vancouver’s waterfrontto Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge,border cities must bear our boisterous,swaggering neighbour’s weight—as they snarl and skid into usthrough gritted fences. There have been glimmeringsinto the mood of the nation—as when a hoodie becomes a hood,a mask, camouflage,a phone, a concealed weapon,youth perceived as threats,and hence, targets. Along with all the other […]

Found my old business card in the archive. This was a great gig — and opportunity! Publisher Jay Levin encouraged me to write reviews and the occasional article for the paper. A New York City transplant, Jay was a cool cat. I used to tease him about the pile of supplements on his desk — […]

Hello my pretties, just checking it. Honestly, I’m finding it a challenge to remain motivated amidst all the madness. But, I persist and so here’s the latest draft of a new poem. Rock on and remain well. Hold fast, etc. DEAR EXTRATERRESTRIALIf you exist… I don’t have much faith you existbut if you do, are you […]

I still need to heed the call of the Emerald Isle, but I feel like I’ve been to Belfast through Irish rap band Kneecap. They indulge both my Irish and punk rock roots with their fierce political righteousness and DIY ingenuity. I’ve been blasting their anthems, and yesterday I took in their film — which […]

Sorry for the radio silence, my pretties—Big news! Guess who’s getting published again? I’ve spent most of this year deep in the writing cave, and it looks like the work is paying off. I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that my latest poetry collection, Cariboo Ashes, has found a publishing home with Anvil Press! This is […]

Happy Mother’s Day. I don’t have many photos of my mother—she was shy about cameras, always insecure and self-conscious. Corona. That’s her in the middle. I wonder what I’m holding… a candle? A wand? It was taken in either Charleswood or Transcona, Manitoba—we moved a lot. Back when coffee tables were laden with ashtrays and […]

With all the madness in the world, poetry saves me. Please wish me luck as I ‘seek publication.’ The fun part. From my query letter: Cariboo Ashes is a poetry collection that explores the tension between rugged geographies and the fragile landscapes within. My poems delve into belonging and resilience, weaving the lyricism of natural […]

WRITING THE GLIDE Ferocious as I am elegantI did not ask for thisprotracted neck, pale plumage, penchant for the pond.I may appear to be glidingbut my palmate feet paddle. Neither did I ask to be a versifier,foolishly speakingin the voice of a swan. We did not ask for this fate.Who in their right mind would,the gift of life bestowed […]

…and saviour. It preserves my sanity, I swear. This is one of the poems  from my forthcoming collection, working title, Cariboo Ashes. I’ve been working hard on revisions and soon will send the manuscript to editor extraordinaire Catherine Owen to help prepare it for publication. CEDAR SHADOWS Whispers of us linger in the ether— silence is […]