Stephen Cain : coda

Why is poetry important? 

As a form that is (nearly) uncommodifiable and is of little interest to hegemonic capitalism, poetry can be the site of liberation and revolutionary expression that works “under the radar” to subvert conventional thinking. A change of expression = a change in cognition = a change in life.

Stephen Cain : part five

What other poetry books have you been reading lately?

John Clare: Selected Poetry and Prose (eds. Merryn & Raymond Williams); Voodoo Hypothesis (Canisia Lubrin); Drift (Caroline Bergvall); Full-Metal Indigiqueer (Joshua Whitehead).

Stephen Cain : part four

What do you feel poetry can accomplish that other forms can’t?

Maximum density of signification. 

Stephen Cain : part three

How do you know when a poem is finished?

The constraint has been met.

Stephen Cain : part two

How does a poem begin?

Usually with a pun or alliterative phrase that I can’t get out of my head.

Stephen Cain : part one

Stephen Cain is the author of six full-length collections of poetry—including dyslexicon, American Standard/ Canada Dry and, most recently, False Friends (Book*hug). He teaches avant-garde and Canadian literature at York University and walks and broods in Toronto.

Photo Credit: Sharon Harris

What are you working on?

A new collection of poetry, a triptych of serial poems, currently under the title Walking & Stealing. A play about Rene Daumal and Roger Gilbert-Lecomte of Le Grand Jeu, and an essay on Daphne Marlatt and geologic space.