the smalls, Corb Lund Band, Johnny Cash, Stompin Tom Connors, Neil Young, Bill Wolodka, The Berry Boys, Sloan, Ernest Buckler, Jean Rhys, Camille Clifford, Leslie Stiles, Margaret Laurence, Mordecai Richler, Brian Moore, Les Murray,
Um...John Stiles was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia and currently lives in London, England. His début novel, The Insolent Boy (Insomniac Press, 2001) has received acclaim in Canada and the U.S. John`s poems, fiction and journalism have appeared in The Globe and Mail, The Literary Review of Canada and New American Writing (Oink! Press, 2005). John has worked as a rock-n-roll roadie, door-to-door salesman, telemarketter, school teacher, and currently works in finance in a church charity in London. John`s documentary 'the smalls...er whatever' (featuring a young Corb Lund of the Hurtin Albertans) has appeared on Much Music and in International Film Festivals across Canada. Insomniac Press has just published John`s second collection of poetry, Creamsicle Stick Shivs. Television appearances include: Imprint (..2, Rejection Letters) and CHRO news.
A feature film, Scouts are Cancelled, featuring John performing poems from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia will debut in The Hot Docs International Festival in Toronto in April of 2007.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
No problem, I said Hi to mum for ya'. At the moment I'm just working on trying to get The Hand finished so it can get published, me and my friend Peter are both writing it and putting our versions together like. Are you working on anything new at the moment?
Hey man, you don't know me but you used to work with my mum Jackie at USPG. I really like your stuff, it sounds awesome!! I've read a few of your poems too on some website, I particularly liked Mad Pilgrim Poet.
Hey. Litzine Beat the Dust is constantly on the look-out for inventive, hard-hitting, thought-provoking poetry and stories, and is particularly interested in writing that involves some kind of contradiction or breaks a rule in some way. We want to hear from writers with 'kiss my shades!' attitude who like to take risks with their work. If that's you, click here for details on how and where to send your work. Thanks for sharing your space with Beat the Dust.
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