No Continuing City

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

Toronto poet Ralph Cunningham was born in 1932. His verse has appeared
in magazines since 1962. Lovesongs and Others, his first poetry
collection, was published in 1979. Although this book’s title is taken
from a biblical quotation, it refers to Toronto.

Cunningham writes his age, avoiding his younger peers’ spare 1980s
minimalism. The veteran may not care if his intricate epic verse is
dismissed as passé, but he should care if readers view his writing as
incomprehensible. It is true that his subject might intrigue older
readers who grew up in Toronto. If they are also stymied by lines such
as “For time has strychnined districts’ / Marshy flexures of
Vuillard / —To Mondrian,” then he is in serious trouble. His work
may become a mere subject for reviewers—Mordecai Richler’s meat
graders—who could classify it as the literary equivalent of
utility-grade beef.

The poet tries to broaden his appeal without compromising his soul or
vision. In addition to local references, such as “Danforth Avenue,”
he evokes “Turret cigarettes” and other Canadian memories.
“Christmas Weeks” may also interest nostalgic citizens of the United
States and Great Britain, his publisher’s two other major markets.

Cunningham provides commentary for the young and ahistorical. He
describes his city’s eastern district as “Scarborough’s incurable
insanity: / Snakes of tailpipe snake across / The dead seas of parking
lots.” Unfortunately, such people may not want to interpret dense
material in order to uncover small rewards.

No Continuing City may reach a select, discriminating audience.