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  • Home
  • About
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Books
    • The Thing with Feathers
    • Sunsets in Britt
    • The Writing Spiral
    • Once Upon a Rocking Chair: A Play
    • From the Cottage Porch
  • Creativity Coaching
    • Creativity Spiral Series
    • Virtual Classes
  • Podcast
  • Poet Laureate
    • Community eChapbooks
    • Weekly Poetry Present
      • Archive of Poets
      • Submit a Poem
      • Subscribe to Poetry Present
    • Monthly Poetry Column
    • Poetry for Occasions
    • Poet Laureate Gallery
  • Stories of Place
    • Georgian Bay
    • Michilimackinac
    • Northumberland
  • Shop
  • Books

    The Thing with Feathers

    April 22, 2022 /

    The Thing With Feathers by Jessica Outram

    Piquant Press

    A collection of poetry available to purchase from the publisher or on Amazon.

    Books are also available from Let’s Talk Books in Cobourg and Caversham Booksellers in Toronto.


    “Hope” is the thing with feathers –
    That perches in the soul –

    Emily Dickinson


    This is a story of becoming whole by reassembling broken pieces of self, holding onto hope in the darkest moments, and seeing everything in a new light.

    The Thing With Feathers takes you on an intimate journey of truth, transformation, and healing of spirit. From cherry blossom tree trunks to the shores of Georgian Bay, these poems evoke reverence, recalling past lives and ancestral Metis blood memory passed down from grandmothers.
    ~ Sarah Lewis, Poet Laureate, Peterborough ON

    Poetry that’s both affective and effective in recognizing the power of expression as a means of revealing the human spirit. There is clarity of language in these poems, and in that clarity the reader finds what it means to feel alive.
    ~ Antony Di Nardo, Poet

    Click here to read Anthony Di Nardo’s full-length review of The Thing with Feathers.

    Here are poems that “show a way to build belonging.” With clarity and sharp imagery, Outram’s poetry aches with the will to transform. They swirl “beyond the whirlpool of rules” “because it’s all possible.” Slowly, a new self emerges by “breaking down threads / pulled by uncertainty.” Through the deliberate act of seeing, facing, and confronting, a knowing, more integrated self comes to light. A fresh, vivid and heartfelt debut.
    —Catherine Graham, Poet, Aether: An Out-of-Body Lyric and The Celery Forest

    Click here to read Kate Rogers’ review of The Thing with Feathers.


    April 16th 2022 Launch: Art Gallery of Northumberland
    April 16th, 2022 Launch: Art Gallery of Northumberland
    Read More

    You May Also Like

    From the Cottage Porch: An Anthology About Cottage Life in Ontario

    March 18, 2021

    Sunsets in Britt: A Georgian Bay Tradition

    October 17, 2021

    The Writing Spiral by Jessica Outram

    September 4, 2021
  • Community eChapbooks

    The Story of Water

    April 22, 2022 /

    We continue the tradition for a third year of publishing an eChapbook to celebrate Earth Day. First, we published Light in My Eyes in 2020. Then we published Lessons from the Earth in 2021.

    Water is life. This year for our Earth Day eChapbook, I wanted to invite poets to reflect on the story of water. Poetry helps us to see in different ways. As you read this collection, consider the story of water in your life. How can we protect it? Respect it? What does water have to teach us? 

    I’m overwhelmed by the number of poems and the diversity of stories. As you read through this collection, pay attention to the ways water changes form, its relationship to people and other elements in nature, and how it travels.

    Find a quiet spot, maybe even outside, by the water to read a poem or two as a gift for the water. Let us thank the water for all it has given us.

    With this project, we also celebrate National Poetry Month.

    Click here to download The Story of Water

    “In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans.” — Kahlil Gibran 

    The eChapbook was sent out via the Poetry Present subscriber list on Earth Day, Friday April 22, 2022.

    Read More

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    Lessons from the Earth: Poetry eChapbbook

    April 22, 2021

    Introducing Cobourg Present: An eChapbook of Poetry

    February 1, 2021

    Light in My Eyes

    April 22, 2020
  • Poet Laureate of Cobourg

    A Poem for the First Day of School

    September 1, 2021 /
    The First Day of School
    
    On the first day
    possibilities thrive
    
    dreams come alive
    together we create and relate.
    
    Our classroom holds the universe
    in the eye of each child.
    
    We can learn on the moon
    dancing like a balloon in zero gravity
    
    reading about oceans
    as you float on the boat 
    
    that was once your chair
    in a classroom daring to become a jungle.
    
    Stretch your words
    taste each number
    
    go outside and notice
    what’s growing in the schoolyard. 
    
    Watch closely 
    when the seasons change.
    
    Write your story
    show your friends
    
    share who you are and 
    sing with your eyes.
    
    Every question is an adventure,
    an invitation to change the world
    
    to be kind, understanding this 
    is what it means to be human.
    
    We celebrate being alive
    with wonder and belonging
    
    everyone here a twinkling star
    in the system of our community.

    © Jessica Outram

    This poem was revised in September 2021.

    Read More

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    The Gift of a Poem

    July 31, 2019

    Letter to a Poet

    July 30, 2021

    Poetry Present: A Weekly Email Publication

    July 12, 2019
  • Poet Laureate of Cobourg

    Letter to a Poet

    July 30, 2021 /

    A monthly column in Cobourg Now: A Local News Magazine.

    Each month features a poem by a local poet and a letter to the poet about poetry and life. My hope is that we can connect more readers to our wonderful poets and that we can encourage people to write poetry.

    Each month a link to the column will be added here:

    • Poetry is About Discovery (Jenni Burke)
    • Poetry is About Connection (Marion Fuessel)
    • Reading Poetry Can Connect Us (Doug Langille)
    • Story is at the Heart of Poetry (Gwynn Scheltema)
    • The Gifts of Poetry in Community (James Pickersgill)
    • Poetry Inspired by Geese (Marie-Lynn Hammond)
    • Talking to Cats, Birds & Myself (Linda Hutsell-Manning)
    • April is National Poetry Month (Antony Di Nardo)
    • Poetry is Summertime (Katie Hoogendam)
    Read More

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    The Gift of a Poem

    July 31, 2019

    Poetry Present: A Weekly Email Publication

    July 12, 2019

    A Poem for the First Day of School

    September 1, 2021
  • Georgian Bay

    What the Bay Saw: Poetry and Photography Video

    October 26, 2019 /

    Even though we knew this project was happening, it caught us by surprise this summer to see the new wind farm at Henvey Inlet First Nation. I’ve spent my summers among these islands my whole life. Our family picnics were in this area. The photo at the top of this post is taken just across the water from the lighthouse where my grandfather lived as a child.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Family Picnic Magic

    November 4, 2017

    Dad Finds a Peavey Log Roller

    October 25, 2017

    Thanksgiving Tradition: Hike in the Bush on Georgian Bay

    October 9, 2017
  • Poet Laureate of Cobourg

    The Gift of a Poem

    July 31, 2019 /

    Last week I received a memorable, thoughtful gift: a poem. I attended the Cobourg Poetry Workshop’s meeting and one of the poets, Doug Langille, had composed this poem. He recited it for us, gave me a copy, and then told me I could share it here.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Letter to a Poet

    July 30, 2021

    A Poem for the First Day of School

    September 1, 2021

    Hometown Hockey

    January 1, 2020
  • Northumberland

    Pop-Up Exhibition of Art in Your Garden

    July 8, 2019 /

    The first time I saw an art exhibition outdoors was in Stanley Park in Vancouver, summer 2000. Paintings arranged in community circles, framed by open sky, tall trees, and carpets of green grass captured my imagination. I’d much rather meander through rows of art in the garden than walk through a gallery. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight and shadow dances across the canvas. Maybe it’s the way the earth beneath my feet and the breeze through the trees makes me feel more alive. Maybe it’s the quiet conversation the art seems to be having with its surroundings.

    Read More

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    On the Rooftop: VOS Theatre Cobourg November 15-23

    August 22, 2013

    Meet Felicity Sidnell Reid

    July 27, 2015

    Life is Just Better in the Hills of Northumberland

    July 13, 2015

Hello, I'm Jessica! (she/her)

Métis writer/educator with roots in the Georgian Bay Métis Community. Poet Laureate of Cobourg, Ontario. Principal of Indigenous Education for KPRDSB.

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Read Poetry, Write Poetry

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Thrilled to have some poems included in this new c Thrilled to have some poems included in this new collection. To be launched @northumberlandfota this fall!
Over 2,000 plays of the Hummingbird Podcast!! More Over 2,000 plays of the Hummingbird Podcast!! More episodes coming  soon. The conversation evolves out of the episode before, but there are no rules, so feel free to try one of our top 5! 

https://thehummingbirdpodcast.com/

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetsandwriters #artspodcast
Looking forward to reading with @catgrahampoet for Looking forward to reading with @catgrahampoet for an in person gathering of @thehummingbirdpodcast co-hosts in Cobourg at the fabulous @letstalkbookscobourg on Aug 20!!
A beautiful cool morning for walking by the lake. A beautiful cool morning for walking by the lake.
So delighted to meet my youngest nephews today, Hu So delighted to meet my youngest nephews today, Hudson and Grayson!!! Born Aug. 1. They are even cuter in person!!!
Finished a puzzle today!! It’s called Poet’s G Finished a puzzle today!! It’s called Poet’s Garden. Can you guess the names of the poets here? (And there is one piece missing but I’m hopeful it will turn up one day).
Good morning, lake. Good morning, lake.
What a gift to start the day with such a beautiful What a gift to start the day with such a beautiful morning.
So grateful for peaceful summer evenings by the wa So grateful for peaceful summer evenings by the water.
A perfect summer’s evening by the water. A perfect summer’s evening by the water.
Blue sky day on the bay. Blue sky day on the bay.
Beautiful day on the water. So delighted for a cha Beautiful day on the water. So delighted for a chance to wear my new hat!
This month in Letter to a Poet, Katie Hoogendam is This month in Letter to a Poet, Katie Hoogendam is featured. You can read her poem 'Gratitude' and my letter to her in Cobourg Now: http://www.cobourgnow.com/?p=23319

#poetry #poets #poetrycommunity #weeklypoem  #readpoetry #writepoetry
Can’t get enough of this view. Can’t get enough of this view.
High winds! Standing on land and trying to find th High winds! Standing on land and trying to find the right angle so I can see in the winds.
We've been hearing from listeners of the Hummingbi We've been hearing from listeners of the Hummingbird Podcast that we are missed. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. We will be back soon with a whole new season.

In the meantime, Catherine and Jessica will be doing a shared reading at Let's Talk Books in Cobourg on August 20th if you'd like to connect in person.

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetsandwriters #artspodcast #thehummingbirdpodcast #poetrypodcast #creativeconversation  @catgrahampoet @jessicaoutram
Entering into reading this book for the third time Entering into reading this book for the third time. @kprindigenous will be leading book clubs in the upcoming school year for various groups across KPR with Braiding Sweetgrass. Message, comment, or email me if you think your employee group would be interested.
Books are restocked at Let’s Talk Books in Cobou Books are restocked at Let’s Talk Books in Cobourg. So grateful for our local bookstore. Look for it in the window and if you can’t find it, just ask @letstalkbookreviews !!
Are you a #poetrylover? This may be your #nextread Are you a #poetrylover? This may be your #nextread. 

#TheThingWithFeathers is a story of becoming whole by reassembling broken pieces of self, holding onto hope in the darkest moments, and seeing everything in a new light. 

Learn more here: https://www.creativitycoaching.ca/shop
Energized by these blues at the lake today… Energized by these blues at the lake today…
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