Editor’s Notes

Dear Readers,

On Sunday, May 8, 2011, John Lavery, local writer and musician passed away. John was the author of three brilliant and imaginative works of fiction and a modern day troubadour. He made a wonderful mark on Ottawa's literary community. I first heard him read at the Tree Reading Series in 2005 and was immediately excited by his flare with language, his imagination, wit and compassionate rendering of characters. In July, 2010, we were fortunate to have John serenade us at our summer reading, which will remain a cherished memory for me and for members of the audience. A memorial reading will be held on Sunday, May 29 at 4:30pm at the Manx for all who wish to celebrate his life. On behalf of Bywords, I offer my condolences to his family and his many friends. I will miss him.

I invite you to join us on Saturday, May 28 at 5pm when we will be holding our annual fundraiser for the Cornerstone Women's Shelter and Spring Launch at the Manx Pub. The afternoon will offer music by Jesse Cole, poetry by Emily Falvey, Christian McPherson, Rod Pederson and Dimitra Xidous. Donors will receive a free copy of the Bywords Quarterly Journal and our gratitude. Thanks to all the contributors for this issue. Please visit www.cornerstone.ca for more information.

This month's issue of Bywords.ca features poetry by Brigette, Allison Armstrong, Benjamin Lancaster, and L. Garrison. I hope you enjoy the issue. If you are a current or former Ottawa poet, don't forget to send us poems. The deadline is the 15th of every month. Please go to the guidelines for further information. Thanks to all the contributors this month and to everyone who has submitted poems.

Thanks to this month's selection committee:

Janie Beriault
Gwen Guth
Megan McGrath
Christine McNair
Kemisha Newman
Claudia Coutu Radmore
Sarah-Grace Ross
Carol A. Stephen
JC Sulzenko

If you have questions, comments, or a lovely bunch of coconuts for me, please e-mail me at amanda@bywords.ca.

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Amanda Earl