About

I’m an eclectic poet, writing lyric one day and found poems the next. I am always fondest of the poem I just wrote.  I began writing on a manual green Olivetti typewriter, but I don’t miss having poems flavoured with correction fluid and cross-outs. You can find some of my poems on the main blog page, others on the My Poetry page.

My chapbooks each have their own space, the most recent, Unhook and Lost Silence of the Small, were released in 2018.

Winning the Lottery is a memoir of sorts, a combination of essay and poetry about my journey through a life-threatening bout of Clostridium Difficile, and life with an ostomy.

Since then, I’ve been collaborating with fellow poet, JC Sulzenko, on 2 chapbooks of co-written poems, Breathing Mutable Air (2015) and Slant of Light (ekphrastic poetry) (2016), both from Nose In Book Publishing. We’re now working on a full collection of ekphrastic poems. Writing alternating stanzas so that a single blended voice emerges especially in response to work by another writer or visual artist has given us a new and challenging focus.

Previous chapbooks:

Above the Hum of Yellow Jackets

Architectural Variations

Ink Dogs in my Shoes

In my spare time, I have served on the Boards of Canadian Authors Association, National Capital Region (Ottawa) and Tree Reading Series (Ottawa). As a poetry selector for Bywords.ca, I review submissions for potential online publication and am one of several editors who work with the annual John Newlove manuscripts for Bywords.

Moi at the Ginger cafe

16 thoughts on “About”

  2. Hi, Carol. I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your collection. To begin, the title is really wonderful — and the poem from which it originates (“It Changes the Hour”) is one of the strongest in your collection. I love the dry wit, sly smile quality of certain poems, such as “Secrets of a Poet” and “Town Gossip” — a personal favourite — as well. Even simpler poems in the book, such as “On Giorgio…” have the ability to invest the smallest moments — such a handshake, for instance — with so much importance. However, there are two poems which are truly well-crafted. “Finding cobalt blue 3” is incredible. The use of sound — consonance, assonance, alliteration — coupled with the overtly visual quality of the poem really works well. “Left Hand Turn” is the other. Great work.

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    • Thanks, Brent, I can’t even think of the words I need to express how much your opinion means.

      I have never forgotten your workshop in April 2006 for Canadian Authors. It was a birthday treat to myself, at a time when I was just starting back to write poetry, and wondering if I had any real talent for it. I had not, up to that point, ever called myself a poet. But your encouragement through comments about my work in the class led me to continue. Even so, I still have those doubts about my writing. But I do call myself a poet, and have done so since your class. Thanks, so very very much. Carol

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  4. Carol: I am a league of poets member, TOPS too and CAA member who organizes a national poetry contest . Can you mention deadline is coming up . thanks dave here is press release.

    DR WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND POETRY CONTEST 2012
    One of the oldest national poetry contests (established 1970) is accepting entries. With $1200 in cash prizes, an anthology of winning poems, a trophy, and award ceremony at the Cobalt Public Library during the spring pulse poetry festival on Friday May 11. Please check the festival website at http://www.springpulsepoetryfestival.com for entry details. Send any inquires or questions to mybrydges@yahoo.ca Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest 2012 Deadline: April 2

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    • David, it is actually in the list under contests. Has been for at least two weeks. But because there are so many I have to keep the blurb fairly small and make sure I have the reference to website info. Thanks for contacting me though. I don’t always catch them of course, as there are a lot of contests!

      Carol

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  5. Hello Carol,
    I wanted to stop past and thank you for showing my poetry blog some love. I must say I admire how humble you are. Why is it that the subtitle of your blog reads “aspiring to poet,” when you’re already such an achieved and talented poet? I guess we are all just works in progress right? If your work is the work of someone just aspiring to poet, then please do by all means continue to aspire and inspire!

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    • Thank you so much for your kind words! I suppose I undervalue my writing, but I also believe we are always becoming. I remember not wanting to sound too confident when I first chose that subtitle. I wonder when I will feel I can move to Practicing Poet? Carol oh and yes I enjoyed your blog post very much. I had been doing a ModPo summary each week, but last week the course caught up with me and I have yet to do my final post on it!

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  8. Hello Carol. I stumbled, as one does, across your blog while looking for something (can’t remember what it was I was looking for.)
    Anyway, I wanted to ask you: I see that you are a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Would you recommend it? I am a self-published author.
    Have you benefitted from being a member?
    Thanks so much.

    Here’s my blog link:
    https://julietinparis.net/

    If you click on MY BOOK up top, you’ll find my book details.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Cheers,
    Juliet in Paris

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