(Ultra-rare dj, Macmillan, 1944; Page’s first book–a mystical romance novel published under a never-again-used pseudonym, Judith Cape)
(First Canadian writer I ever met in person; first (charming) book of hers I encountered; left is dj, right is hb; uncredited P.K. Irwin picture)
(left:inscribed to me, above book; right: signed page from book below–one of my favorite Page poems)
(Softcover, Oxford U Press, 1985; cover painting: “The Glass House” by P.K. Irwin; photo by Paul Orenstein)
(Left: flatsigned softcover, Brick Books, 1994, “Votive Tablet” cover painting by P.K. Irwin-Page, owned by Mike Doyle ; right: signed softcover, Porcupine’s Quill, 2006; cover image; Conde Nast Archive/CORBIS)
(Scarce flatsigned softcovers, Porcupine’s Quill, 1997; cover paintings by P.K. Irwin (Page’s signed name for all her artwork) eds. John Metcalf and Doris Cowan)
(rare CD, Outlaw Editons, 2004; poems read by author)
(CD photo and enclosed mini-booklet photo; design: Jeff Carter, Pacific Music; photo spread: Barbara Woodley)
(Rare handwritten letter from Page, 1984)
P.K. (Patricia Kathleen) Page/P.K. Irwin (latter was her married name/painter-illustrator alter ego) (1917-2010) was born in Swanage, Dorset, England before moving to Red Deer, Calgary, Winnipeg, St.John (NB), and settling, initially, in Montreal where she became close to kindred spirit-poet F.R. Scott.
She went on work as a scriptwriter for NFB and married her diplomat-husband Arthur Irwin before travelling to his postings in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala. Her Brazilian Journal gives insight into their life away from Canada. Page’s first poetry book, The Metal and the Flower won a Governor-General’s Award in 1954. She was later made an Officer in the Order of Canada for her contributions to our country’s literature. Page is easily one of our top three women poets ever.
Her poetry is always elegant, somewhat mystical, introspective, and luminous. An NFB documentary, “Still Waters”, gives a visual introduction to her presence, work, and style. But the most insightful, well-researched book about her life and art is the recent, revealing biography Journey with No Maps by Sandra Djwa, one of our top critics at the top of her game.