Seven compete for Griffin Poetry Prize
Explorations of racism and grief are among the works from Canadian poets contending for the 2017 Griffin Poetry Prize.
The prize awards $65,000 apiece to one Canadian and one international winner, and is billed as the largest prize for a first edition single collection of poetry written in English.
Among the Canadian contenders is Nisga’a poet Jordan Abel’s third collection Injun, described as a long poem about racism and the representation of indigenous peoples.
Saskatchewan-raised Sandra Ridley was recognized for Silvija, which examines themes related to love and loss.
Rounding out the Canadian short list is Violet Energy Ingots by Vietnam-born, Toronto-based Hoa Nguyen.
The international short list includes: American writer Jane Mead for World of Made and Unmade; In Praise of Defeat by Moroccan poet Abdellatif Laabi, translated from French by Donald NicholsonSmith; British poet Alice Oswald for Falling Awake; British poet and philosopher Denise Riley for Say Something Back.
This year’s seven finalists will each be awarded $10,000 for their participation in short list readings in Toronto on June 7. The winners will be announced June 8.