Scarecrow

Ronald Charles Epstein is a Toronto-based freelance writer and published poet.

Killick Press, an imprint of Creative Book Publishing, showcases rising
Newfoundland poets; Carmelita McGrath is one if its stars. Can the
publishers repeat their success with Mark Callanan? Callanan’s poems
have appeared in provincial, regional, national, and British
publications, and his work has been anthologized in The Backyards of
Heaven, a collection of Newfoundland and Irish poetry.

In this era of “animal rights” and PETA, the poem “In the
Butcher’s Shop” is of special interest. Unlike Hamilton poet James
Strecker, Callanan is not a known animal activist. The same could be
stated about the great American animator Walt Disney. This did not
prevent his classic film Bambi, which featured a fawn who was orphaned
by a hunter, from turning children against “blood sports.” Perhaps
the poet’s image of “a pig on a hook by the window ... split open”
who contemplates escape will inspire readers to become vegetarians. Some
will discern a message, while others will only appreciate his gruesome
humour.

Mordecai Richler has noted that the decreasing level of literary and
biblical knowledge has deprived authors of common cultural references.
Fortunately, Hollywood has filled that gap. The poetry sequence “Lions
and Lyres and Bears” recalls The Wizard of Oz’s “Lions and tigers
and bears.” Unfortunately, the phrase, “you can lead a horse to
water, but you can’t make it drink” applies here. Film buffs might
lose interest in that section, which contains no further movie
references. “One-Trick Pony” offers cheeky whimsy. The title equine
can only tango, but offers “a roll in the hay,” joining Marian
Engel’s Bear in The Erotic Bestiary of Canadian Literature.

Callanan’s depth may discourage casual readers, but intrigue
literature professors who, like corrupt city ward bosses, will deliver
the required support.