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Paradoxides: Poems
Multi-award-winning poet Don McKay returns with a startling collection of new poems, his first since his Griffin Poetry Prize winning book, Strike/Slip
Don McKay is known, among other things, as Canada's foremost poet of the natural world. Readers have come to expect a playful extravagance in his poetry. Most recently, he has opened himself to the mysteries of geologic wonder. "Who needs ghosts when matter /nonchalantly haunts us," he writes. In his new book, perhaps his most stunning yet, it's fossils and deep time that provide the awe. The landscape of Newfoundland has taken his linguistic virtuosity even further, sharpened his wit, and given him a lyric energy that sometimes feels as if he's lifting the planet into song.
Don McKay is known, among other things, as Canada's foremost poet of the natural world. Readers have come to expect a playful extravagance in his poetry. Most recently, he has opened himself to the mysteries of geologic wonder. "Who needs ghosts when matter /nonchalantly haunts us," he writes. In his new book, perhaps his most stunning yet, it's fossils and deep time that provide the awe. The landscape of Newfoundland has taken his linguistic virtuosity even further, sharpened his wit, and given him a lyric energy that sometimes feels as if he's lifting the planet into song.
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2012
About the author
Don McKay
57 books24 followersDon McKay is an award-winning Canadian poet, editor, and educator.
McKay was educated at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Wales, where he earned his PhD in 1971. He taught creative writing and English for 27 years in universities including the University of Western Ontario and the University of New Brunswick.
In June 2007, he won the Griffin Poetry Prize for Strike/Slip (2006). He is the co-founder and manuscript reader for Brick Books, one of Canada's leading poetry presses, and was editor of the literary journal The Fiddlehead from 1991-96.
In 2008, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.[2]
McKay was educated at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Wales, where he earned his PhD in 1971. He taught creative writing and English for 27 years in universities including the University of Western Ontario and the University of New Brunswick.
In June 2007, he won the Griffin Poetry Prize for Strike/Slip (2006). He is the co-founder and manuscript reader for Brick Books, one of Canada's leading poetry presses, and was editor of the literary journal The Fiddlehead from 1991-96.
In 2008, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.[2]
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 5, 2013
You haven't read Don McKay yet? And you call yourself a reader of contemporary poetry? Shame on you. Start with Strike/Slip perhaps, but work your way here, if you know what's good for you.
April 11, 2017
I haven't read too much poetry, but Mckay has me enchanted, bewildered, safe, and moved.
June 8, 2017
Powerful yet perplexing in some places, though reading Don MacKay is never laborious even when his meaning isn't immediately obvious. An awe inspiring read for lovers of natural history, nature and philosophy.
Although the entire short volume is worth reading, my favourite poems were: Forlorn, Paradoxides, Gjall and Thingamajig.
Although the entire short volume is worth reading, my favourite poems were: Forlorn, Paradoxides, Gjall and Thingamajig.
January 18, 2025
Thoughtful, playful poems about geology, birds and being human. Mackay invites the reader to greater awareness of the living earth here and now and our ancient world, while also managing to not take himself too seriously. Some references in the poems are hard to understand but they don’t trip the reader up.
June 13, 2023
two stars for technical skill
May 10, 2013
A book of poetry by a winner of the Griffin Prize.
This collection combines the naturalist’s keenness of observation and love of the wild with a philosopher’s boundless curiosity about the world and its wonders.
The poems are playful and pensive. I loved the rhythm in these. There is a lot of attention to landforms, geology, and bird watching.
This collection takes time, effort and thought (at least it did for me). Don't rush or you will miss its beauty.
This collection combines the naturalist’s keenness of observation and love of the wild with a philosopher’s boundless curiosity about the world and its wonders.
The poems are playful and pensive. I loved the rhythm in these. There is a lot of attention to landforms, geology, and bird watching.
This collection takes time, effort and thought (at least it did for me). Don't rush or you will miss its beauty.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews