The writers and poets Wayde Compton and Renée Sarojini Saklikar discuss poetry, teaching writing, and the collection of poetry they have edited The Revolving City: 51 Poems and the Stories Behind Them (Anvil Press, 2015), with Joseph Planta.

The Revolving City: 51 Poems and the Stories Behind Them Edited by Wayde Compton and Renée Sarojini Saklikar (Anvil Press, 2015). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Revolving City

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Every third Wednesday of the month except in the summer, since 2012, from noon to 1pm, a gathering occurs at the Teck Gallery at SFU’s Harbour Centre campus here in Downtown Vancouver. It’s called Lunch Poems. People bring their lunches, their poetry, and they sit and listen to readings. It’s one of those great undertakings that exemplifies just how rich a cultural life there is in this town, especially if you just look. A new collection of poems, The Revolving City: 51 Poems and the Stories Behind Them features poetry that’s evolved from Lunch Poems. These poets have all participated at these Wednesday events, and they contribute an essay, a reflection on the poem, its meaning and its inspiration. The founders of Lunch Poems and the editors of this collection, Wayde Compton and Renée Sarojini Saklikar join me now to talk about this book, these poems, these poets, and this place they’ve created. Wayde Compton is the acclaimed writer of two books of poetry: Performance Bond, and 49th Parallel Psalm, which was a finalist for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. He edited the anthology Bluesprint: Black British Columbian Literature and Orature. His non-fiction book After Canaan: Essays on Race, Writing, and Region was shortlisted for the City of Vancouver Book Award, as has his first work of fiction, The Outer Harbour. He is the director of the Writer’s Studio and the Southbank Writer’s Program at Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies. Renée Sarojini Saklikar was last on in 2013 for her collection of poetry, children of air india: un/authorised exhibits and interjections, which won the Canadian Authors Association Award for poetry, and was also a finalist for the Dorothy Livesay Prize. She is a mentor and instructor at SFU, and her website is at www.thecanadaproject.wordpress.com. Wayde’s website is at www.waydecompton.com. I’ll also get Renée to talk about air india [redacted], which will be presented 06-11 November 2015. This collection is published by Anvil Press. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Wayde Compton and Renée Saklikar; Ms. Saklikar, good morning; and Mr. Compton, good morning.

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