By Word of Mouth: The Poetry of Dennis Cooley [Paperback]

Dennis Cooley, one of Canadas most prominent poets, says writing becomes political when you play with certain kinds of voices. His poetry has been influenced and inspired by the prairies and other Canadian poets, but he insists on disturbing the formal poetic inheritance he esteems. His engagement with a variety of speaking voices asks that readers question authority and challenge institutional privilege. InBy Word of Mouth, a collection from across his career, readers will discover how Cooley returns to the prairie vernacular and speaks to Canadian identity. Poetry, says Cooley, is aboutourtime andourplace.

Nicole Markotis introductory essay discusses how Dennis Cooley plays with poetic reference, inspires with syntactical surprises, parodies contemporary writing, and indulges in wild, celebratory puns. This book roams around Dennis Cooleys poetical world and invites the reader to play along.

``Besner and the LPS [Laurier Poetry Series] deserve acknowledgement for making and taking such a smart opportunity. Bracketing the selections with a critic's introduction and the poet's reflection offers readers important reminders that beyond being simply texts susceptible to criticism, poems are expressions from the hearts and minds of people.''``The introduction is particularly enjoyable because Markoti does not just stand back and analyze Cooley's poetry; instead, she thoroughly enters into Cooley's playful punning and rule-breaking even as she explores his themes and moods.''

Table of Contents for
By Word of Mouth: The Poetry of Dennis Cooley, selected with an introduction by Nicole Markoti

Foreword | Neil Besner

Biographical Note

Introduction: By Word of Mouth: An Introduction to Dennis Cooleys Poetry | Nicole Markoti

A Poem for You, Leaving Winnipeg

anaeurysm

& we are skinbags of heated water????dreaming

in his tangerine skin

the love song of j l krafchenkol"