Madagascar: Poems and Translations

by George Fetherling

Madagascar is a powerful new collection by one of Canada's best known poets and journalists, Douglas Fetherling. Ever since his first book exploded on the poetry scene in the 1960s, the writer has always been one recognized as breaking new ground. In this newest collection -- his first in many years -- the Toronto poet takes on the subject of death. he studies its ambiguities, challenges the cliches, pokes fun at it. It is this wry attitude that makes for a fascinating read. In effect, it takes the mystery out of death. In one instance, he sets up a quiz and asks:
What is our proper relationship with those already dead? Choose one of the following: (A) terror; (B) a warm sense of continuity; (C) desperation leading to futility; (D) a love of shared experience. (Sorry, can't decide)
In another instance, Fetherling is more intentional in his attitude. He writes: "Avoid evil and try to do good. Die stubbornly. Sorry about the past."
This collection also includes some rare translations from Martial, or Marcus Valerius Martialis, a Spanish-born Roman poet of the first century. Fetherling has translated these poems from Latin. They, too, deal with death, but violent death, and comment upon persecution.

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Douglas George Fetherling (born January 1, 1949) is a Canadian writer, poet, novelist, biographer, artist, and cultural commentator. One of the most prolific figures in Canadian letters, he has written or edited more than fifty books.
He previously published under the name Douglas Fetherling until 1999, and thereafter under the name George Fetherling, switching to his middle name to honor his father George, after recovering from life-saving surgery for the same medical condition that had killed his father.
One of his most popular works is Travels by Night: A Memoir, which recreates leading personalities and events in the fabled Canadian cultural renaissance of 1965–75.
Fetherling is also a visual artist. He lives in Vancouver.

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dare to be solo, take charge of yourself p23
There is no future in possessions 23
There is scarcely enough sadness for all the death that's going around p25
No one will reveal your destiny however much you beg or scheme p23
resolve not to curse when miracles don't happen p17
Avoid evil and try to do good. Die stubbornly. Sorry about the past. 30
too much hocus pocus and not enough rock and roll p27

God grant us the juice and the will to share it 17
Feel the calm inside the chaos 35
We might as well believe in something 13
a plausible reason for existing 14
Stranger, with what gratitude we would
know the purpose of your coming p 14