POEM A DAY – June 25

Dear Marys

Nonna’s been in her heaven for six years.
Have you met her? She too is a Mary…Maria.

Has she sewn you a dress or poured you a glass
of dry red wine? Has she cooked you rabbit stew

and polenta—spread the golden meal on a thick
wooden board like art? Have you tasted her sugo?

Has she danced with you in a kitchen? Laughed with
you on an alley walk to pick roses? Has she cried

with you on a porch as the chestnuts fall from the
tree? I hope you know her. I hope you touch her

blushed cheeks, hold her maker hands, kiss the
back of her neck like she used to kiss mine, like

I kiss my daughter’s, my son’s, my husband’s…

red cardinal song lifts the sun
life feathers beyond the grave

FOUR MORE SLEEPS!

EVENT LOGISTICS…

Location Info

The book launch is taking place INSIDE the Jackman Dramatic Arts Centre, in the Hatch Theatre. The above photo is what the building looks like. There will be sigs out front and inside to guide you where to go! The building is fully accessible. The Hatch Theatre is a real play-performance theatre with a stage, lighting and comfortable seats!

The building is located at the far end of the ‘quad’ – the big grassy area in front of the old residence buildings. Beside is the Essex building…that’s fairly new to campus. In terms of where on campus the building is, it’s on the Huron Line side, close to Assumption Church/the Ambassador Bridge.

Parking

Paid street parking is on Huron Line under the bridge, on both sides of the street. I suggest you park on the campus side…that’s an old bridge, baby! Parking is free after seven.

There is also a parking lot behind the church, entrance off Huron Line. This is a paid parking lot, but there is lots of room, and it’s the closest you’ll get to the building. You can see the building from the lot!

In fact, it’s as if the photo above was taken from the lot! Nice and close!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me! shieldsvanessa@gmail.com

Start Time

I’d like to get started as close to 7pm as possible, but there is one activity you’ll be invited to partake in if you want…on the way into the theatre…so perhaps arrive around 6:50pm!

Finish Time

I will not talk/read longer than 30 minutes! After that, we can move back into the main lobby for book sales and signings…I will have my other books for sale at discounted prices!…and I will sign you book and/or give you your pre-ordered book signed and good to go! All in all…the event won’t go until 9pm…unless we’re sticking around to talk! You’re welcome to head out after the reading if you already have your book!

Payment options

I will take cash or etransfer. My email will be posted and you can make the etransfer on the spot.