Some other might look at the long night,
hear the wind’s bitter calling
and not let it follow them
down the canal of their dreams,
where voices and faces of the past
churn, tornado-like.
Recriminations, disappointment
reflected on the dark water.
Some other might rise in the morning
to the rose-grey light
and not feel the urge to crawl back into bed,
pull the covers tight over their head,
even if it means the voices
will return.
Some other might step outside in the afternoons’
sun-seething light and not blink,
blinded by the day stretching out before them
with the dread of a withering vine
and the empty, hollow cavern
of lonely
beating in their chest.
Some other might face the evening
with joy in their hearts,
not haunted by the silence,
the forbidding thoughts of the night ahead,
not wishing for the chance
to do it over,
or let it end.
Sally Quon is a disabled Kelowna-based poet whose work appears in numerous anthologies. She is a self-identified Dirt Road Diva and haiku enthusiast.
Questions and Answers
Is there a specific moment that inspired you to pursue poetry?
I started writing poetry when I was in the fifth grade. I loved being able to convey an emotion in just a few words, and have other people feel it as well. In the sixth grade, I entered the poetry contest in our small, local fair and took home the first-place ribbon. Suddenly, I was a Poet with a capital “P.”
How/where do you find inspiration today?
My inspiration today comes from a variety of sources: nature, past trauma, the process of aging, and of course, I’m always inspired by other poets.
Do you use any resources that a young poet would find useful (e.g. books, films, art, websites, etc.)?
For the most part, I read a lot. Some of my favourite poets include E. E. Cummings, W. S. Merwin, Mary Oliver, Patrick Lane, and Lorna Crozier. I’m also greatly inspired by the art of Emily Carr.
As a published writer, what are your tips or words of motivation for the aspiring poet?
Find yourself a poetry group, both online and in person if possible. Having a group of like-minded people to work with is both inspiring and has led to deep personal friendships. Sign up for every free course you can get your hands on. Never stop learning. Read widely, and not just poetry. Keep a notebook on hand to write down any fresh lines or ideas that come to you. Don’t think you’ll remember it later. You won’t. Attend writers’ conferences when you can but check the schedule first to make sure there are workshops and panels dedicated to poetry. Keep writing and submit, submit, submit. Poetry is subjective and if your poem isn’t right for one journal, it will be for another. Don’t give up! Always pay attention to guidelines, and if possible, read a copy of the journal you want to submit to in order to know if your work is right for them.