Beautiful Veins

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

Sherman, who died in 2006, was an active figure in Atlantic Canada’s
literary culture. He was born in Nova Scotia, educated in New Brunswick,
and edited the Prince Edward Island magazine ARTSatlantic. Beautiful
Veins is the last of his seven books.

He readily acknowledges his Jewish background. The poem “Old Photo of
Two Brothers in Uniform” refers to “my great-uncle Aaron-Leib” and
“Yeshiel.” Those names may alert readers to the fact that when
“White Russia goes ignescent in 1941, / and the care packages slide
into a void,” Hitler launched the invasion that doomed Aaron-Leib and
his family.

The Maritime Jewish experience flavours his poetry. The cover photo,
which also illustrates his poem “‘Far Away’ 1955,” displays
“the brass candlestick” that probably held a Sabbath candle. “Two
from Cape Tryon” recalls a “beardless boy, / still tucking his
fringed garment beneath his oilskins.” New Brunswick rainwear protects
a Jewish prayer shawl.

Sherman keenly observes his fellow poets. “Black and Rust” is
dedicated to fellow Cape Bretoner Don Domanski. He establishes a
connection to Domanski by remembering “the sky, what filled it. / With
young lungs we sucked all in, didn’t we / Don?” Since Nova
Scotia’s eastern region is notoriously toxic, he points out that the
air that might have shortened his life could harm his fellow author.

CanLit icon Al Purdy is realistically assessed. “Rooting Al Purdy”
showcases the elder statesman as he is “chatting up” a beautiful
young female poet. He points out that only his fame allows him to
approach her.

“If You Have Money You’re Clever and Handsome, and You Can Sing
Too” makes a similar point with a nasty edge. Wealthy Leonard
Cohen’s past ill-treatment of a Greek woman is revealed. The dying
poet sets the record straight.

This book enables readers to know, and mourn, Joseph Sherman.