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“Let
me begin with a warning” heads one of Janet’s poems and readers should
be warned that not all these poems are lullabies. Many home in on truths
that sear into the mind and might disturb sleep. That, after all, is the
job of a poet. These poems also offer: the balm of hard-won compassion
for self and others, a wisdom sad and sweet, and always startling turns
of phrase that pull readers to attention and possibilities for their own
voices. As Janet’s poem for Greta ends, “Now the rest of us must find/
our instruments before dawn.”
~ Sonja Arntzen, Professor Emerita, University of Toronto
These poems come forward in a tense time. The apocalypse appears to be
upon us. Yet Janet’s serene poetic voice calls out to us as a mother to
her child in the night, reassuring us that we can act against the forces
for destruction, and that when we need respite from the intense struggle
to maintain human decency, we may take it. And then persist once more
– a wonderful accomplishment.
~ May Partridge, community organizer, retired post-secondary teacher of
English and sociology.
The trenchant poems in this book use the word 'Lullaby' as an ironic
metaphor delivering incisive commentary on our capitalist society. Never
predictable, the lines roll from one to the other, crashing on the headland
of the mind, challenging our concepts of the world around us. Combining
passion and wit, Janet's probing questions and observations are a must
read for those who want a keener look at ourselves and our cultural milieu.
~ Dave Neads, author, poet, social activist, loving life on Gabriola.
Life was not created to feed the economy.
I am in a relationship with the vacuum cleaner and it’s a problem
These two sentences display the breadth of Vickers’ poetry. With deep
wisdom, carefully chosen words, kindness and wit, she invites her readers
to consider the state of the world and some of the cruelties humans commit.
But lest we become too despairing she shares her delights with trees,
eagles and lizards, her joys with her husband and children. And, she lets
us know about her very unique relationship with her aged vacuum. Come
one, come all, there is something here for everyone.
~ Lynda A. Archer, author of Tears in the Grass, a Finalist for
the 2017 Lambda Literary Award.
Janet Vickers was born in the UK, came to Canada in 1965 and became Canadian
by the love and friendship of other Canadians. She married in 1969 and
celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary to her husband Tony, last year.
They have three children, three in-laws, one grand-dog and four grandchildren.
Her previous books include Impermanence (2012) and Infinite
Power (2016) published by Ekstasis Editions.
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