natalie hanna, lisan al’asfour

natalie hanna, lisan al’asfour (Arp Books, 2022)

cover art by Leslie Supnet

What do you say about the work of someone you love, about her power and beauty coalescing in the book, the force of her anger and frustration with racism, colonialism, misogyny and ableism, the tenderness of her love for her family, the joy in her memories of wild times, the grief of infertility?

I read the book quickly in one evening while lying in bed the night after the launch of lisan al’asfour  aka a celebration of the beloved and phenomenal force that is natalie hanna at the Knox Presbyterian Church on December 28 by dear friends: poets and musicians, Jennifer Pederson on piano/background harmonies), Liam Burke (electric guitar, poetry), Nathanael Larochette (host, sound), Conyer Clayton and Manahil Bandukwala (poetry). The readings and musical accompaniments were mesmerizing.

It was also a reunion f the organizers of the former Sawdust Reading Series, which was a welcoming and treasured series that had been organized by Jennifer, natalie and Liam. And Conyer and Manahil read as part of the series as did many audience members in the room. The venue for the reading is also the site of VERSeFest, Ottawa’s annual poetry festival and was the site for the Ottawa International Writers Festival. I chatted with friends I haven’t seen in some time. So many intersections at the event. Family members, flowers, dear friends, cardigans, video recording, pastries. It was truly a celebration.

natalie’s generosity and strength resonated at the reading and in every page, every act of this bad-ass darling poetesse. I am not sated. I want more. I have dog-eared the pages. I have read quickly to devour a book I have hungered for because I have been a fan of this writer since I first read her work and heard her read. I have published her poetry and visual poetry. I have attended workshops in rob mclennan’s home with natalie and studied her thoughtful and insightful texts. I’ve delighted in her visceral and sensual and imagery, the witchiness of her incantations. Did I say I wanted more? Hell yes, much more.

You’ve noticed I’ve combined thoughts and observations on the book, the reading and Ottawa’s literary community. I don’t think it’s necessary to separate these entities. While we are still dealing with all the awful of this millennium so far, it’s good to see the strength and hospitality of this community again. I love being part of it and seeing how it grows and thrives, even in difficult times, how writers and friends support one another.

Pick up the book at an independent book store near you or order it from the publisher.