Invisible Mending: Poems

A themed poetry collection-a kind of "séance"-an evening to get in touch with other souls, and the world they once lived in. Yet, as a linked collection, the poems trace the arc of a life from birth to death, from childhood to old age, and move towards a spiritual journey in art. Our lives seem to be vanishing acts, perfected from birth to death. The trip also takes us within. There are joys and sorrows, a sense of delight, and also grief. The collection suggests that the "real horror" is losing a loved one. But, while the poems keep an eye on death, the point is life, even the contemplation of a life beyond death. Certainly, there is remembrance-a time to mend our wounds-both visible and invisible. Invisible Mending tries to connect with the joy and grief that binds us all.

Invisible Mending consists of three parts: I. Invisible Mending, II. Walking Shadows and III. Mending Time. The title of Part I-Invisible Mending-refers to a technique used to patch fabric and leather so that the "wound" seems to disappear. My father used "invisible mending" in his trade, plied in the late 40's, after World War II, but abandoned it when he came to Canada in 1952. Part II-Walking Shadows-is a poem sequence dealing with the life in the theatre and life as a play. The "poor players" that strutted and fretted" their hour on the stage are gone, but their "shadows" remain in life and theatrical memory. Part III-Mending Time-is a suite of linked poems tracing the spiritual quests of artists, writers and seekers who are searching for their "true worth" in the world.