PK Page: Essays on Her Works

Eugenia Sojka is head of the Canadian Studies Centre in the Institute of
British and American Culture and Literature at the University of
Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland.

This exquisite collection of essays explores the many faces of Canadian
poet P.K. (Patricia Kathleen) Page: “enigmatic poet and painter,”
“gypsy dancer,” “exotic storyteller,” “fabulist,”
“alchemist,” “cool priestess of language,” and “metaphysical
thinker.”

In the poem “P.K. Page as a Non-Snow Angel. With Apologies to ‘The
Snowman’,” Margaret Atwood refers to Page as a “sublunar alchemist
… who has transmuted daily lead and bread to gold.” In her essay
“P.K. Page, the Alchemist,” editor Linda Rogers discusses the
poet’s study of philosophy and Sufism, her obsession with line and
language, her eye for detail, and the visual qualities of her writing.
Susan Musgrave contemplates Page’s ability to write poetry that is
“pure” and “unencumbered by the freight of biography or gossip.”
Patricia Young recalls the poetry workshop Page led at the University of
Victoria. Harold Rhenisch remembers Page as the mentor who inspired him
to believe in the sacredness of poetry. Lois Crawley gives us a
child’s view of the poet.

In the critical essays, Barbara Colebrook Peace and Kelly Parsons
discuss Page as a metaphysician and great visionary poet, Brian Bartlett
examines Page’s understanding of nature and naming, and M. Travis Lane
considers the poet’s postmodern awareness and use of language. The
jargon-free essays offer valuable insights into Page’s oeuvre. The
high point of the collection is an interview with Page conducted by Lucy
Bashford and Jay Ruzesky.

This collection is a must-have for researchers and students of this
distinguished Canadian poet and painter.