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- The Citizen Voices Team
The Fly in Autumn - Poetry
by David Zieroth
I am honoured the jury selected The Fly in Autumn for this award, and I am deeply grateful to live in a country that supports its poets. I am grateful my grandparents came to Canada from Germany, grateful my parents encouraged my reading though at times were bewildered by my writing.
I am also mindful of the other finalists and the many books of poetry published in Canada this year, aware that such structures of support and appreciation are always in danger of erosion from non-poetic realms. As poets we often thrive in solitude, and yet the moment of recognition for one is recognition in part for all.
I want to thank the Canada Council, Howard White at Harbour Publishing for believing in my poems, Silas White for his editing. I’m thankful for the community of poets and poetry lovers in North Vancouver, and for the kinship among poets across Canada. Thank you to my family for accompanying me through years of writing and of growing cranky when the words were muddy or worse, banal, until winning through again.
Among the pleasures of receiving this award is meeting other laureates from across Canada, especially Francophone writers I wouldn’t otherwise have met. As Margaret Laurence said, writers belong to a tribe, a tribe that mostly works away in their rooms. So when we come together in an event such as this one, it’s very affirming and heart-warming to discover among the excellence of talent such a great generosity of spirit.
