Poetry throughout the ages has been prophetic, beautiful as well as healing. With the outbreak of COVID-19, we feel it is best to postpone the Poetry and Healing event for the safety of those involved, and those on the frontlines. But, we want to continue to support SickKids, and bring together the poetry community for good during these difficult times.
Throughout the month of April, join Kate Marshall Flaherty, Al Moritz (Poet Laureate of Toronto), Luciano Iacobelli, Lois Lorimer, Daniel David Moses, Ronna Bloom, Rajinderpal S. Pal, Catherine Graham, Dr. Conor Mc Donnell, Jacob Scheier, Ayesha Chatterjee, Corrado Paina and Grace Ma in celebrating the healing power of poetry.
Support poetry and SickKids Hospital from your home.
The League is also looking for donations to SickKids as a part of this event fundraiser, and especially in these difficult times of outbreak and isolation.
Donate to SickKids here
Poets will be sharing recordings of their poetry throughout April, and within it, the healing journey of writing, or reading, or sharing, poetry. With Poetry & Healing, we all can explore the indigenous concept of “medicine,” the healing power of words, and the transformative and inspiring power of poetry.
Follow this page as well as the League on Facebook for memorable poetry for a wonderful cause — all April long!
To view text versions of the poems, click on the linked titles.
Read “The Medicine of the Seven Brothers” by Daniel David Moses
April 1
Kate Marshall Flaherty introduces “Poetry and Healing,” reads Lynn Unger’s “Pandemic,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Kate Marshall Flaherty:
Download: Poetry and Healing – Intro
April 4
Dr. Conor Mc Donnell’s poem, “with the end unfolding around us,” read by Katie, to musical score by Gabe Flaherty, followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Kate Marshall Flaherty read Dr. Conor Mc Donnell’s poem “with the end unfolding around us:”
Download: Poetry & Healing – Kate Marshall Flaherty
April 7
Ronna Bloom reads “The Work” and “Salve,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt, all to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Ronna Bloom:
Download: Poetry and Healing – Ronna Bloom
April 10
Lois Lorimer reads “The Healing Play: Cast of Characters,” “The Plum Tree,” and “Rescue Dog,” to musical score composed by Gabe Flaherty, followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Lois Lorimer:
Download: Poetry & Healing – Lois Lorimer
April 13
Kate Marshall Flaherty reads “Tumour,” and “Just a Titch,” both to musical scores by Gabe Flaherty, followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Kate Marshall Flaherty:
Download: Poetry and Healing – Katie Marshall Flaherty
April 16
Luciano Iacobelli reads “The Tall Dark Talks,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Luciano Iacobelli:
Download: Poetry and Healing – Luciano Iacobelli
April 18
Rajinderpal S. Pal reads “Meryam Ana,” to mesmerizing music by Abir Abigail Khir, followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Rajinderpal S. Pal:
Download: Poetry & Healing – Rajinderpal S Pal
April 21
Poet Laureate of Toronto A.F. Moritz reads “The Healer is Dead,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to A.F. Moritz
Download: Poetry & Healing – A.F. Moritz
April 24
Catherine Graham reads “Masks,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Catherine Graham:
Download: Poetry & Healing – Catherine Graham
April 27
Jacob Scheier reads “The Spaz,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty.
Listen to Jacob Scheier:
Download: Poetry & Healing – Jacob Scheier
April 30
Grace Ma reads “In Life, Like In,” to musical score by Gabe Flaherty. Ayesha Chatterjee reads “The Mask.” Doyali Islam reads “letter,” followed by a meditation and poetry prompt to musical score by Cathy Nosaty. Final poem, “Sprout,” read by Kate Marshall Flaherty to musical score by Gabe Flaherty. We end with a moment of silence to light a candle for the world.
Download: Poetry & Healing – Grace Ma, Ayesha Chatterjee, Doyali Islam
April 30
All above poets have their poem as part of “Poem in Your Pocket Day,” as a special bonus this year.
Donate to SickKids here
All recordings creatively edited, mixed and balanced by Gabe Flaherty
Musical scores by Cathy Nosraty
Special thanks to Al Moritz, Dr. Conor Mc Donnell, Mark Korven, and Lesley Fletcher, Laura O’Brien, Natalie Czerwinski and Nicole Brewer at the League of Canadian Poets office, Alexa Polenz at Special Events Union Station, and Suzanne Vu and the Sick Kids Foundation. Thanks also to the Sick Kids Foundation’s Jane DuBoy for her support and connection to Sick Kids.
Much gratitude to all the contributing poets, Kate Marshall Flaherty, Al Moritz (Poet Laureate of Toronto), Luciano Iacobelli, Lois Lorimer, Daniel David Moses, Ronna Bloom, Rajinderpal S. Pal, Catherine Graham, Dr. Conor Mc Donnell, Jacob Scheier, Ayesha Chatterjee, Corrado Paina and Grace Ma.