2023
January 10
Participated in the zoom reading for the 26th Annual Poetry Ink Anthology, part of Moonstone Poetry from Philadelphia. I read “Reflections on the Gap”, which is published in the anthology
January 22
Received the December 2022 issue of Fixed and Free Quarterly, which includes not only my poem “nine thirty” but also a glowing review of The Cowichan Series by Billy Brown
January 28
Recorded a feature set for Blaine Greenwood’s CKXU radio program, Not Your Mother’s Poetry
February 3
Received femmes de parole, a Quebec publication by Nancy R. Lange. Issue No. 3 contained a review of my poetry by Miranda Krogstad, my review of Lorna Crozier’s poetry, and two of my poems, “This Gossamer World” and “Votive Red” in their original form and translated into French
February 10
Attended and participated in Carla Scarano d’Antonio’s launch of her newest collection, Workwear. I read my poem “Grief”
February 26
Participated in the zoom reading for the Love in its Original Language Anthology for the Moonstone Poetry from Philadelphia. I read “Abracietto”, which is published in the anthology
February 27
My poem “I Dare to Dream” was published in Zimbabwe’s Sailor’s Review. This is the 15th country where my poetry has found a home. The poem was inspired partly by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr’s iconic speech, and in part by February, month of love
February 28
Participated in the online Virtual Global Open Mic reading out of India. Here is a link to the recording of that reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63AnbzTFC2c
March 2
My poem “the skating party” with accompanying visual went on display at an open-air exhibit in Calgary’s Rotary Park for The Edge of Winter. This a joint project organized by the Alexandra Writers’ Center Society, Calgary Arts, and the Crescent Heights Community. There was an ArtWalk and Poet Reading for this event on March 18
March 8
Invited to be a judge for the youth event, recitation of poetry in French for the Calgary finals, part of Les Voix de la Poésie
March 9
Cover reveal ... the haiku anthology Poetry from the Edge, from last year's haiku conference put on by Haiku Down Under, in Australia and New Zealand, will be mailed out soon! I presented a session on Concertina Haiku-Photo pairings, and submitted a poem to this anthology
March 11
Invited to read a set of poetry for the launch of Bob Canuel’s latest collection of poetry
March 16
The latest issue of the Fixed and Free Quarterly Arrived, and I am thrilled to see my poems inside this beautiful cover, taking space with so much phenomenal poetry! My pieces are Bereft and Unity.
March 20
Jim Jackson reposted our Spring Equinox collaboration, my poetry, his music: A Litany of Blooms
March 23
Invited to be a feature poet for the March edition of Fixed and Free online poetry; three of my poems will be included in the upcoming Anthology. I enjoyed going through diverse anthologies and collections, choosing the pieces to share. Bottomless gratitude to Billy Brown and Fixed and Free for the opportunities and the warm embrace.
March 26
Participated in the online launch with my reading of Sometimes a Poem (the long version) as part of Moonstone Publishing's celebration of World Poetry Day (Philadelphia). The shorter version of this poem will be published in the corresponding anthology; the longer version was submitted to and will be published by Fixed and Free Anthology (New Mexico)
March 30
Invited to participate in an online reading presented by "femmes de parole", sharing the three Ukrainian poems which I translated from French into English as well as the two piece published in their edition No 3
March 31 - April 2
So thrilled to be invited to participate in the resurrection of The People's Poetry Festival, hosted this year by the AWCS: Josephine LoRe is not only one of Calgary's most prolific publishing poets and performers, but she is also a wonderful poetry instructor! In our partnership with Alexandra Writers Centre Society (AWCS) we would be remiss not to include workshops in our offerings at People's Poetry Festival this weekend. Plus, workshop hosts will be sharing their poetry.
April ... Poetry Month!
My thanks to the fine folks at Calgary's Alexandra Writers Centre Society (AWCS) for featuring a reading of this for Poetry Month.
April 21
Such am amazing experience to help out in a little way to something so grand ... This year, the National Finals for Poetry in Voice / Les Voix de la Poesie, for high school students from across the land, were held in Calgary. It was heartwarming to witness the poets of the future generation ... their enthusiasm, their spirit, their camaraderie. In my mind, they are all champions.
April 23
Contributors read from the upcoming Haiku anthology put out by the Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia. I shared a new haibun, a marriage of haiku and prose poetry
April 27
Again this year, Parkland Poetry posted a bouquet of poetry once a week in honour of National Poetry Month. It was an honour to serve on the committee to bring these poems together, and to share my submission, Awaiting Spring, which was put to music by Jim Jackson
April 29
Routes / Roots ... the theme of Volume 5 of the Parkland Poets Reading Series Anthology, Outlying Voices. Pleased that I could serve as one of the editors for this collection, and also that my poem Routes was included
May
A late-winter haiku was accepted for publication in the Haiku Canada Yearly Anthology
May 7
Cultivating Voices WorldwideLivePoetry+
Today's theme was Inspiration, and as always, it is a blessing to be part of this group that was formed during the dark days of pandemic. My reading starts at 48 minutes
May 28 launch of khcollins Fermented Musings, published by Prairie Soul Press. This was the first time I have been asked to pre-read a collection and provide a review for the back cover!
June 4
Cultivating Voices WorldwideLivePoetry+
Always so gratifying to be part of these live online readings... today's reading's focus was Rhythm and Rhyme, and my poems commence at 58 minutes.
June 8
Participated in a live reading of works published by Jim Jackson. I read from my collection The Cowichan Series.
June 10
Two pieces were accepted for publication in GUSTS Contemporary Tanka, no. 37. These were written after my father's death
June 24
Sometimes a Poem, the full version, was published in New Mexico in the Fixed and Free Quarterly journal. I shared this poem in the monthly online reading as well
July
The Indie YYC published a reading of Sometimes a Poem online in their voem series
August 3-5
Participated in panels and readings at When Words Collide, A Festival for Writers and Readers: Epic Poetry Readings, Cast a Spell, and Musical Poetic Art
August 4
I received confirmation that my poem "Una tazza di poesia, una tazza di tè / Garden Tea Poetry" will appear in Volume 2 of an upcoming anthology by Italian-Canadian writers, to be published by Italian publisher Les Flâneurs Edizioni / Collana Canada
August 9
Soaked in and participated in some summer poetry in the park ... C-Space Pitbull Poetry, hosted by Calgary's Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster
September 1
Thrilled to learn that my short story "A Surfeit of Blue" was chosen to be included in the upcoming collection by Prairie Soul Press, The Philosophy of Blue
September 2
Touched to learn that my tribute poem. "My Word for Rain" has been selected for publication as part of an upcoming League of Canadian Poets series, Fresh Voices
September 6
It is an honour to share that Feed the Children uses my poem "Enough" in their US Public Service Announcement
The PSA campaign features an original poem, Enough written by Canadian poet Josephine LoRe. The poem first appeared on the Poetry X Hunger website and was chosen by Feed the Children for this important public message. Through these poetic words recited in the Public Service Announcement and short, on-screen vignettes, viewers are invited to envision the hunger-free world that so many people have dreamed about.
The "If Words Were Enough" PSA campaign reflects on parents' hopes for their children to grow up strong and to nourish their mind, body, and spirit. Children should grow up without the burden of hunger. The PSA shares this message of hope to cultivate compassion that inspires action. It will take all of us, our voices, our commitment, and our work - to end childhood hunger.
September 22 - 24
I will be presenting a workshop on poetry at this year's Wine Country Writers’ Festival in Penticton, British Columbia.
October
I have been invited to be the Feature Reader in San Francisco's Sacred Ground reading series.
