Collected Poems of Alden Nowlan

More about the book

Alden Nowlan (1933-1983) expressed a desire to leave behind "one poem, one story / that will tell what it was like / to be alive." He fulfilled this aspiration through an abundance of memorable poems characterized by candor, emotion, humor, and truth-telling. For years, Nowlan has been one of Canada’s most cherished poets, and now his complete poetic achievement is available in one volume. His work navigates the spectrum from fear and solitude to the warmth of friendship and family. Through themes of violence and gentleness, alienation and love, his poetry reveals both our shared humanity and our intriguing differences. Nowlan's life experiences are vividly reflected in his writing, blending autobiographical elements with fantasy and a sharp historical awareness. His formal variety and visual shaping of poems complicate the notion of him as merely a "plainspoken" poet. His skillful manipulation of line-lengths, breaks, stanzas, and pauses demonstrates a mastery of the page, embodying the rhythms of speech. This long-anticipated collection allows readers to fully appreciate his poetic genius and unique voice.