orient

by Gillian Wigmore

Orient is the third collection from one of Western Canada's most accomplished poets. Composed mainly of three long poems - an extended meditation on the connection between man and fish, the lament of a big-souled cowboy poet looking up from rock bottom, and a historical envisioning of an intimate relationship between a pioneer and a powerful crone - Orient leaps, sings, burrows down, and orients the reader within its rich ecosystem. The appeal of these poems lies partly in their blend of humility (the open-minded approach), in their force (the taut style, the original vision) and in an astonishing boldness. Wigmore is a "poet of place" in the best "about the big picture." I had a job and then I didn't but once I spoke a tavern sermon
that came to me in darkness
and men I knew who crossed the street who shunned me in daylight
they wept
and that's something
- from "tavern"

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2014

About the author

A library branch manager and the daughter of a veterinarian, Gillian Wigmore has published three books of poems: soft geography, winner of the ReLit Prize; Dirt of Ages, shortlisted for the George Ryga Award; and Orient. As well as Night Watch, she has written a novella, Grayling, and Glory, a novel. She lives in Prince George, BC.

Reviews

[M.W.P.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

mmm mmm oh oh
mmmm mmm oh oh
lucy jig onna saturday night
lucy jig onna saturday night
mmm mmm oh oh
mmm mmm oh

- Lucy jig on saturday night, pg. 42

* * *

I love every part of this town es-
peshally the sidewalk

lay here with me, won't you?
we can watch the stars go round

- last call, pg. 56

* * *

she drinks tea on the porch
impervious to the inferno

real or not? depends
who sees it burn

- cabin on fire, pg. 79

[Nicky Enriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought that I would enjoy a poem about a fish so much. Wigmore's alliteration and mix of words is astounding and evocative.

[Hailie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever falter and stop loving = screaming crying