(signed 1969 Macmillan pb, GG winner for poetry)
(eds. Margaret Atwood & Barry Callaghan; Exile, 1993 & 1994 pbs.; photos: John McCombe Reynolds)
(left: rare 1972 Oberon dj; photo: J.M. Reynolds; design: Michael Macklem; right: rare CBC, 1972 LP)
(recommended excellent bio–1995 HarperCollins dj; design: Linda Gustafson/Counterpunch; photo: John McCombe Reynolds)
Born in Toronto, Gwendolyn (Margaret) MacEwen (1941-1987) grew up in a dysfunctional family, but became a gifted poet and fiction-writer who wrote about dream, magic, mystery, history, and romance. She was published at age 15 in Canadian Forum magazine and grew up in the age of bohemian coffee-houses. At 5′, 4″ tall, she was memorable-looking with huge blue eyes and sometimes wore Egyptian eye shadow.
Her Afterworlds poetry book won a Governor General Award in 1987 posthumously. Biographer Rosemary Sullivan’s book, pictured above, won a GG award in 1995. The poet, tragically, died too young from alcohol self-abuse and a subsequent heart attack. A Toronto park named after her, featuring a bronze bust, honours her today. I chose two of her playful poems, “Past and Future Ghosts” and “You Held Out the Light” for Inside Poetry, 2nd. ed. (Harcourt).