Murmuration: Marianne's Book

John Baglow's collection of poems, Murmuration, is a tribute to his partner Marianne MacKinnon, who died in 2006. The poems are inspired by love, grief, and wonder and are assembled in her memory. The collection is a metaphor for individual poems moving together in liquid formation, arcing and swooping as they will, and for perhaps just a singular moment assuming the outline of the author. There is no narrative or chronology, but the many personal remembrances and representations are confined to one person. Marianne would approve.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

In the depths of these barren sands, where your footsteps left imprints, beloved, you fell. When John Baglow's partner, Marianne MacKinnon, passed away in 2006, he embarked on a remarkable journey. Few knew of his secret aspiration, but fate intervened in the form of a dream. Marianne appeared, urging him to complete her book. With no other choice, he embraced this divine mandate. The collection, aptly titled "Murmuration," resembles a mesmerizing photograph by James Crombie, where a flock of starlings takes on the form of a colossal bird. This metaphor captures the essence of the collection: individual poems flowing harmoniously, intertwining and soaring as they please, momentarily taking on the shape of the author, a helpless participant in an ever-changing dance. Some of these poems have been hidden away for years, while others are freshly penned. Yet, within these pages, they all find their rightful place, forming a tapestry of perspectives and experiences. "Murmuration" lacks a linear narrative and chronological structure. Instead, it offers a mosaic of personal remembrances and representations, shared by multiple individuals. However, when viewed as a whole, they form a cohesive and profound way of seeing the world, a testament to the essence of Marianne's vision. She would undoubtedly approve of this testament to her memory and the collective spirit of those who contributed to its creation.

Dimension: 191 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228018483