There’s more to poetry than red roses and blue violets.
It’s a craft North Saanich poet Lorna Crozier has been honing for four decades and she plans to share her expertise with a Peninsula audience. Crozier, a recent recipient of the Order of Canada, will speak on Why Poetry Matters in an event to raise money for scholarships for young women across the Peninsula.
“I’m going to go into why I think poetry shouldn’t be just pushed aside as something most people don’t pay attention to or are afraid of and talk about it being the language of the heart and the soul,” Crozier said.
There’s no one better to convince even the most reticent. A professor in the University of Victoria’s writing department, Crozier earned the Governor General’s Award for poetry, two Pat Lowther awards, the National Magazine gold medal, the Canadian Authors’ Association award and first place in the CBC literary competition. She received two honourary doctorates for her work in Canadian literature, published 17 books and is the editor of two books of essays, two anthologies of young Canadian poets and Best Canadian Poetry, 2010.
“I’ve been a writer for 40 years, mainly a poet … so I’m not happy unless I’m rolling around in poetry, either writing it or reading it,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be someone who normally goes to poetry events.” She’s been approached by many poetry virgins, who claim surprise that the event wasn’t dull or over the top. Often they’re pleased the poetry felt accessible and applicable.
Why Poetry Matters is Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Charlie White Theatre of the Mary Winspear Centre. Admission is $5. Proceeds go to the education trust fund of the Canadian Federation of University Women Saanich Peninsula. Advance tickets are at Tanner’s Books or by calling 250-655-1558 or 250-479-2484.