What if my first language had no gendered pronouns, no words for “gender” and “sex”? What if babies born in Canada were not routinely identified as “girl” or “boy” at birth? What if children were encouraged in their growing and changing to find their own words for who and how they know themselves? What if? Just imagine.
“I’m here to reclaim what’s been true from the start. Poetry is queer. Not queer as in gay, but queer as in before the invention of heterosexuality.
Yes, that shit was invented too.” — Poetry is Queer
In the world I inhabit much of what is commonly understood about mutual attraction continues to be based on cis-gendered heterosexual and patriarchal ideas of what “sex” is, of what we understand to be “male” or “female” to be. Anything else is queer, as in othered.
Imagination is essential. In all its magnificence and limitations, my first language of English animates my dreams and daily conversations, the signs and symbols that surround me, my writing. Stepping around and outside its inadequacies remains a challenge.
“Dangly Bits
Never mattered
to her [except]
she has them
made the most of it.” — She
Neither Kirby nor I are young. We were both born into a world where gender fluidity and same sex attraction were illegal, unspeakable, forbidden. We are both poets. We both identify as queer, but otherwise, our lives are very different:
“I was once described in the Globe and Mail as `a cross between Jean Genet and a buddha on uppers’ by local legend Gerald Hannon.” — Poetry is Queer
No one would ever describe introverted, tree-hugging, non-urban me that way. However, when I opened Poetry is Queer and read, “There is but a single success story in my life./ I never managed to kill my fairy,” I knew I had found companionship.
I came to Poetry is Queer and She wanting books that centred queerness, not as literary theory, or as an intellectual experiment but as foundational, integral, normal— like breathing. It is a mark of Kirby’s skills as a poet and essayist and of their generosity, honesty and kindness that I found in these books a mirror. And a couple of good companions.
I came to Poetry is Queer and She wanting books that centred queerness, not as literary theory, or as an intellectual experiment but as foundational, integral, normal— like breathing.
She‘s poetry grounds itself in small daily tasks and observations. Kirby gives the sights and sounds of their Toronto neighbourhood and of their childhood home in Ohio the measure of their careful attention, bringing down to earth the toll and the injustices of the pandemic, poverty, intolerance and oppression, and the grief of their mother’s death.
“Another morning I don’t want Amir
up-n-out already teaches mostly youngsters
how to drive or at least pass texts “Hope
you have an amazing one” I do too though
I forget what one is [did she put the kettle on?]…. Blue
“Happiness. A full freezer.
At check-out the cashier
compliments my thriftiness.
“My mother taught me well.”
[insert photo of full freezer here].” It Will Freeze
That same capacity for close attention also finds moments of joy and of unfettered delight:
“life a whole lotta radiance
pores entire body lit from
within she is blueberry joy
toast burns outta butter “Past the Trees
“My absolute favourite thing about being queer is a predilection I’ve cultivated toward pleasure.” — Poetry is Queer
As an essayist, Kirby weaves and shares well-loved connections across geographies and decades and oppressions, honouring writers who have dared to speak truth to the powers that be, who would silence them. Poetry is Queer is not only a memoir about the ways in which “poetry saved my life,” but also a call to imagination, to stepping outside and around, to a better possible future for us all. She answers that call, with anger, frustration, gratitude, honesty and kindness. Good company for sure.
nobody’s perfect is not an apology I’ve been told
my whole fucking sorry life didn’t stand a chance.
Look at her. Here baby. Fuck you. Forever Wrong
“I look forward to a genderfluidity not based upon the falsities of what came before it. Please, please dear ones. Exceed us.” — Poetry is Queer
KIRBY’s work includes Last Licks (Anstruther Press, 2024) Behold (2023), a stage adaption of Poetry is Queer (Palimpsest Press, 2021), What Do You Want to Be Called? (Anstruther Press, 2020), & This Is Where I Get Off (Permanent Sleep Press, 2019). Their column, “The First Time” is a regular feature at Send My Love To Anyone. They are the publisher at knife | fork | book kirbyshe.com
Poetry is Queer
Publisher: Palimpsest Press (October 2021)
Paperback 7″ x 4″
ISBN: 978-1-989287866
She
Publisher: knife | fork | book (April 10, 2024)
Paperback 5″ x 7.5″ | 64 pages
ISBN: 978-1-989355-63-3
Susan is grateful to live on Treaty 18 territory at the southern shore of Manidoo-gitchigami (Georgian Bay) in Ontario, Canada with two human partners and a very large dog. Recent publications include a collaborative chapbook,Hand Shadowswith Michele Green and Suzette Sherman (Wintergreen Press, 2024). Hag Dancesis coming out with At Bay Press in Spring 2025.www.susanwismer.com
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
- Susan Wismerhttps://miramichireader.ca/author/susan-wismer/
