As the twentieth century comes to a close, Ken Norris continues to file his lyrical reports in a way that defines poetry "the art / of the possible." This instalment (Books 12-15) includes "The Book of Fire," "Island Stars" "Tenor," and "The Concertos." Some of these poems play with fire, some bring the tropical beauty of Fiji and Tonga alive, and some send up prayers for solace at the end of a frightening century. Both musical and documentary, Norris’ work creates a vision of the poet as observer and as scribe, "taking down a letter to a loved one,/the world."

Ken Norris was born in New York City in 1951. He emigrated to Canada in the early seventies, where he quickly became one of the infamous Vehicule Poets, essential in helping to develop and maintain a particular style of Anglo-poetry in Montreal.

One of Canada’s most prolific poets, Ken Norris has always given his readers subtly capricious and edgy poetry that reveals unanticipated possibilities and explores new horizons. He is the author of two dozen books and chapbooks of poetry, and is the editor of eight anthologies of poetry and poetics. His work has been widely anthologized in Canada and throughout the English-speaking world, as well as published in translation in France, Belgium, Israel and China. Quebec poet Pierre Des Ruisseaux has translated two of his books into French, La route des limbes (Limbo Road, Écrits des Forges) and Hotel Montréal (Éditions du Noroît).

Norris teaches Canadian literature and creative writing at the University of Maine. He divides his time between Canada, the United States and Asia.

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