folio : Forty-five Ottawa poets
And
the Writing
And
writing was my way of
seeing
straight
on the
line
And
when I’d get too deep in,
I’d
be able to see it written down
like
evidence
And
write myself a prescription for
getting
out
again,
and
again
And
so, the writing has always been a constant,
a
constant companion
to
purge
that
which does not
belong
in
me
Ode
to Audre Lorde
Indeed,
poetry is
Not
a luxury.
It
calls things out.
And
you see them
Straight.
On
the line.
And
theses lines
They
cluster
And
rally
And
dare to
Think
they
are
not
alone.
I’ve been working through my craft…
I’ve been coming to better understand my craft and its place in my life, essentially coming to terms with how I’ve used the written word, and to what effect. The written word is my muse, my champion, my advocate, and I strongly believe in its power to effect change and disrupt the status quo. And so, I write.
Indeed, I tend to write poetry which is an ode to the writing which has sustained me, helped me, rescued me – be it my own writing or the writing of others. And though I write about a myriad of topics, writing about writing is emerging as a stronger focus area in my work, as I contemplate and work through the writer’s path itself, which for me is a spiritual calling which does not relent.
Leslie Roach is a poet, writer and lawyer, based in Ottawa; she was born and raised in Montreal. Her debut collection of poetry Finish this Sentence was published by Mawenzi House Publishers and listed by CBC as a “Canadian Poetry Collection to Watch” and as a “Book to Read for Emancipation Day”.
