Heather Haley's Blog
September 29, 2025
From Belfast With Fire: Culture, Struggle, Story
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 […]
Published on September 29, 2025 09:35
August 20, 2025
Where CARIBOO ASHES have landed!
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 […]
Published on August 20, 2025 20:28
May 11, 2025
PERSPECTIVE & GRACE
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 […]
Published on May 11, 2025 18:49
February 23, 2025
CARIBOO ASHES, new collection finally out in the world!
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 […]
Published on February 23, 2025 11:18
November 23, 2024
“CARIBOO ASHES” manuscript coming together! And I’m trying to adjust to WordPress’s latest version. Ugh. Please bear with me.
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 […]
Published on November 23, 2024 14:53
September 15, 2024
Poetry, My Passion…
…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 […]
Published on September 15, 2024 10:20
August 2, 2024
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS PRESCIENCE..what they got right, what they got wrong
My sisters and I were raised on Saturday morning cartoons. We’d gobble down our Cheerios and then rush the door to play all day, the great outdoors a much safer environment. In any case, we loved Bugs Bunny, Rocky & Bullwinkle and The Jetsons, fascinated by their house in the sky and flying cars. Little […]
Published on August 02, 2024 11:31
June 3, 2024
STEERING FROM THE HARPOON
Feels like the right way to kick off the week, return to editing and revising the new poems and my novel. I’ve been preoccupied with music and the recording process. Life is a balancing act, isn’t it. This one is inspired by the ocean of course. I tend to take it for granted and […]
Published on June 03, 2024 13:12
AN OCEAN IN THE HARPOON
Feels like the right way to kick off the week, return to editing and revising the new poems and my novel. I’ve been preoccupied with music and the recording process. Life is a balancing act, isn’t it. This one is inspired by the ocean of course. I tend to take it for granted and […]
Published on June 03, 2024 13:12
May 11, 2024
STUNTED-Another Sad Love Song
Another sad love song. Poem. My only solace is churning heartache into art. STUNTED Whispers of us linger in the ether— silence is an answer, and I am listening. With all that is no more, and all that waits to be, leaning into your absence elicits song […]
Published on May 11, 2024 14:02