[dropcap]I[/dropcap] was having a beer with a friend. Actually he had cider. I drank beer. We were talking about my leap into the arts, a seemingly radical transition from a long career in financial services. Sure, I’d written a bit – prose and song – along with the occasional performance, but it was always a side thing rather than what I did for a living. Now it’s all I do.
“Man,” he said, “You must be the only one to go from that to this.”
“Well,” I said, there IS another person – a ridiculously talented musician and author. New West Poet Laureate for six years. Now she runs a publishing company with her loveable curmudgeon partner.” The laureate I was talking about is Candice James.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I’m holding the very first (purchased) copy of Rithimus Aeternam, the new book of poetry by James, a multi-year labour of love for the Poet Laureate Emerita. We were at a Royal City Literary Arts Society (RCLAS) event, and she passed the signed copy to me with palpable pride.
“I don’t know what these words mean,” I said, referring to the title.
“It’s Latin,” she said, an unspoken “duh!” left hanging. “Rhyme Forever.”
Maybe I could’ve figured it out, had I said it aloud. And googled it. But the words were second nature to Candice, having studied law, or medicine, or possibly both, earlier in life. It’s hard to keep up with her accomplishments. Having enjoyed her work – written and performed – I was keen to experience the latest. Categorized into surreal, love, nature, dark, history and story, cowboy poetry, miscellany, and a touch of whimsy, this book of rhyming poems seems to cover it all. It’s no wonder the author’s passion and pride for this comprehensive work filled the room.
In keeping with our Latinate vein let’s jump to the surreal with Fidelis Est Poetica (Faithful To Poetry). “We’re born to become never-ending breath / as we walk through the stages of life and death: / fidelis est poetica … the erudite soul.”
Erudite indeed. And beautiful. There’s no escaping the songwriter lyricism, with a seamless split-personality, James as artistic creator and performer. The book’s back cover features photos of her on stage – reading and playing – my favourite being a shot of Candice looking like badass Nancy Wilson with a huge black bass, something Gene Simmons would set ablaze.
Knowing facets of James’ previous entrepreneurial careers, I appreciate the reluctance she once felt toward structured verse – don’t corral a free spirit – yet the poet not only came to embrace sonnets but has composed Rithimus Aeternam with seemingly effortless aptitude. From Soft on My Heart. “The heat and passion burnt away; / buried in our yesterday. / Twilight shadows now unravel / looming on this road we travel.”
At the RCLAS event we visited and laughed, recollecting past careers, and transitions. Like James’ delving into nature-themed poetry – another relatively new endeavour, a natural vehicle for reflection. And dark. From Riding Styx River. “On the loose shaky edge / of this frostbitten ledge / I’m tumbling down / in a vacuum of sound.”
And from the artist’s self-labelled whimsy, The Long and the Short of It. “I ordered some cosmic soup and ate my share of crow. / I thought I had arrived but still had far to go. / I met a seagull wading and strolling on the shore. / We spoke of many things and thought we’d both been here before.”
Yes, when I get to see Candice I feel we’ve both been here before. Yet each time’s refreshingly new, a reinvention of livelihood. Of living. Which I like a great deal. I hope she feels the same, with every creative innovation. And that it never changes.
Initially published by Canadian Poetry Review.
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About the Author: Candice James, Poet Laureate Emerita, was New Westminster Canada’s Poet Laureate for two terms (2010-2016). She’s a visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter, workshop facilitator, reviewer and author of fifteen books of poetry. In addition to her artwork, Candice’s poetry has appeared in magazines and anthologies internationally. She is the founder of Royal City Literary Arts Society, Poetic Justice, Poetry in the Park, Poetry New Westminster, the Fred Cogswell Award for Excellence in Poetry, recipient of the Bernie Legge Artist Cultural Award and Pandora’s Collective Citizenship Award. www.candicejames.com
About the Reviewer: Bill Arnott is the bestselling author of Gone Viking: A Travel Saga and Dromomania. Bill’s been a featured musician, poet, and host at hundreds of literary events across Canada and internationally. His articles, reviews and poetry are published in Canada, US, UK, Europe and Asia. Bill’s a national songwriting finalist, poetry award recipient, and WIBA 2019 Finalist for Gone Viking: A Travel Saga. When not trekking the globe with a weatherproof journal and outdated camera phone Bill can be found on Canada’s west coast, making friends and generally misbehaving. https://www.amazon.com/author/billarnott_aps
Rithimus Aeternam by Candice James
Silver Bow Publishing
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Bill Arnott is the bestselling author of A Season on Vancouver Island, theGone Viking travelogues, andA Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot(Arsenal Pulp Press, Fall 2024). Recipient of a Fellowship at London’s Royal Geographical Society for his expeditions, Bill’s a frequent presenter and contributor to magazines, universities, podcasts, TV and radio. When not trekking with a small pack and journal, Bill can be found on Canada’s west coast, where he lives near the sea on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
- Bill Arnotthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/billya/
