This compilation of three of his books is a fine introduction to this emotional poet to English-speaking readers. Kindled by the death of his mother and his partner, Micheline LaFrance, Royer has set out to delve in poetic verse a world that seems to be fading away. References are made to writers that have influenced the poet, while he explores in short-lined verse about state of wakefulness for which death is responsible. There is also a sense of vigil, of watch, of alert in these precise and simple words. An elder speaks to the young. It is with honour that I will tackle the translation of these moving poems that form the latest work of one of the last of a generation of poets that have passed away in the last decade.

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Antonio D'Alfonso was born in Montreal. He studied at Loyola College from 1970 to 1975, where he got his B.A. in Communication Arts. Later on he went to Université de Montréal to complete his Master's Science Degree in Communication Studies, specializing in Semiology; his thesis was on Mouchette, a film by Robert Bresson. In 1978 he founded Guernica Editions, where he edited over 450 books by authors from around the world. In 1982 along with three other writers, he founds the trilingual magazine, Vice Versa. In 1986, along with three other writers, he founded the Association of Italian-Canadian writers. He has taught at Université of Montréal, Continuing Studies at University of Toronto, University of Californa, in San Diego. He is presently a writer in residence at McGill University (French language and literature department).

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