Don Gutteridge

Gilding the Lily is Don Gutteridge's 75th book. One of the finest that he has ever written. Gilding the Lily is intimate and charismatic, as well as soul-stirring. This vibrant latest collection from Gutteridge is for "Anne who made love her gift to the world," the ADDENDUM notes before taking readers on a journey across pages full of memories and poignant emotions. Some pieces are immediate and urging; some are full of insight and wisdom. Continuing his flood of powerful, intimate, and nostalgic poetry, Don Gutteridge has compiled another gem of a collection in Gilding the Lily.

It is my utter delight to be the publisher of, The Perilous Journey of Gavin the Great. It is filled with cultured metaphors and sophisticated linguistic vocabulary as well as supported refined plot lines. In many ways you can tell that Gutteridge is a consummate poet, of many decades, when you read lines like this: "...their wings, furious with the wet weight of the wind, collapsed without warning, ...". Something that I thought, as I read this fable, is that it is equivalent to an indigenous fable. I don't want to give this notion too much importance but for me it is filled with autochthonous truth. What I mean by that is that the truth of the fable has an indigenous tone rather than descended from "settlers" or "immigrants". As publisher I joyfully agreed to publish this book after only a cursory, scanning read. I instantly fell in love with Gavin and his merry march of characters. It was only after the book was ready to go to press that I finally did a thorough, blanket-over-lap-feet-up-read. It was only then that I discovered the true value of this spellbinding story, even for me a seventy-plus reader. I love how the book starts with, "Long, long ago near the beginning of time" With a chuckle it made me think of the saga movie Star Wars "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." I have been the editor of a number of novels, memoirs and poetry books. As an editor I love the challenge of suggesting to an author that there were too many characters or not enough, or it was essential to remove or add a chapter. With The Perilous Journey of Gavin the Great I can honestly say that I would not suggest the addition or deletion of a single word let alone a paragraph or chapter. Don Gutteridge, now slowly creeping towards 90, decades after his acclaimed CanLit "Marc Edwards Mystery Series", has resurrected his talents with this stunning book. Now with 75 titles under his belt and years of literary teaching he has written a world class fable worthy of distinction, securing his place in CanLit history. I have to say it again, I am proud to be the publisher of this book. The story is set in the dystopian aftermath of "the great burning". Gutteridge quotes one of his characters; "RA-Mosah (the eldest and wisest of the wisdom-dispensing clan) perpetually preached: "Dame Nature, who is herself but another manifestation of Gollah's all-seeing purpose, must right herself so that all things be kept in precise balance like the perfect halves of an apple or a walnut split by a coon's cunning." The rains will stop, the elder-coons assured a pair of droop-winged blackbirds and one drenched jackrabbit who happened to be within earshot, the rains will stop when they must, and not one milli-moment before." The book is filled with stupendous lines like: ""Where are you?" The muffling fog caught his question, and did not answer." Or "The ooze was licking at his lips, tasting him, mocking him." Or "They simply walked, wrapped in their own silence." At the risk of sounding like a self-serving publisher I will say; don't shy away from reading this book of fervent hope and self-discovery, for all ages,

Sailing with the Wind is a book of 2023 poetry by Don Gutteridge published by Wet Ink Books. This latest book consists of short free-verse poems ranging from the small delights of childhood to the discovery of life's bigger passions and griefs. The collection is a series of soulful pieces randomly linked by lingering memories of the past. Themes of childhood bliss, adolescent sexuality, love of nature, familial and friendship ties, all bind together to make this very fine book.

O Frabjous Day by Don Gutteridge is a dazzling and impressive work from the Canadian Prince of Poetry. The voice in these pages is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and Gutteridge's imagination is extraordinary: there's no pretension; the writing is wholly spontaneous, all heart. Rich imagery and the layered meaning behind the words, however, demand a slow reading on the reader's part. Both a love letter and an invitation to all that's life, the book makes for a mesmerizing read.

Drawing on current curriculum, the work and research of renowned scholars, and especially his own teaching experience, Gutteridge examines the nature of student classification based on their understanding of literature, and its devastating impacts on learning progress throughout the years. Chronicling the negative consequences of assigning such categories to students (instead of designing separate programs for each group-forms of writing and expression more suited to their learning style and stage of development-the "general category" is often offered watered down academic courses), Gutteridge shares a number of experimental programs that have attempted to offer a few adjustments over the years (Fidler, 1969; Dixon, 1979; Medway, 1980; Holt, 1964). He hopes that the student classification based on the study of literature will go away as it patronizes and demeans the student groups. Instead, all students will be given equal opportunity to study fine literature. Central to this process is revitalizing a teaching system which incorporates both normal and advanced readers. That way, students, relative to their ability and learning style, will be able to comprehend more complicated texts and learn the moral, cultural, and psychological pleasures of literature on the way. Insightful and reflective, this is another good book from Gutteridge.

Spanning decades and countless collections, Gutteridge's poems are as raw and heart touching as ever, delving into old memories, life, death, love, loss, and longing. Teeming with awe and sensation, these poems delve into memories of yesterday long-gone, moving skillfully from life to death, happiness to grief, boyhood lust to loss, and aging to resurrection. This is a poignant celebration of the pain and pleasure of being alive. Readers seeking contemplative poems executed with style and verve will find themselves besotted. BookView Reviews

Village Dreaming is a fine book of poetry by Canadian poet Don Gutteridge born in Sarnia and raised in the nearby village of Point Edward. He taught High School English for seven years, later becoming a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University, where he is now Professor Emeritus. He is the author of seventy-one books including: poetry, fiction and scholarly works in educational theory and practice. He has published twenty-two novels, including the twelve-volume Marc Edwards mystery series, and thirty-three books of poetry, one of which, Coppermine, was short-listed for the 1973 Governor-General's Award. In 1970 he won the UWO President's Medal for the best periodical poem of that year, "Death At Quebec." To listen to interviews with the author, go to: http: //thereandthen.podbean.com. Don lives in London, Ontario.

"The Home We Never Leave" by Don Gutteridge is a reverent ode to childhood, nostalgia, and growth, The Home We Never Leave by Don Gutteridge is a touching collection of heartfelt poems from this prolific voice.Delving back through his own vivid recollections, like a librarian thumbing through a card catalogue, the poet effortlessly pulls readers into snippets of memory, from the details of his wise grandmother's intimate garden to the wild games of schoolyard Prisoner's Base. Dreamy musings on beloved girls next door blend with tales of boyhood bravado and the blur of smiles on his first chosen family. Gutteridge is always adept at capturing the gentle spirit of youth, yet framing it through the experience of age, and that motif feels particularly sharp here. There is an arc to this collection, encompassing joy, maturation, grief, and resilience; many of the pieces are reflections on the past, while others are written in loving memory, for those whom the poet has lost over the years.Despite their free verse nature, these poems show a deep respect for rhythm and the natural flow of language, while also highlighting the poet's clever tongue and aesthetic ear. The poetry is rich and meticulously constructed, with playful experimentation in enjambment, and a marvelously broad vocabulary of description. Utilizing unique imagery and attention-grabbing turns of phrase, this homage to innocence is powerful without being overly sentimental, for one of Gutteridge's strongest collections.

The Derelict Heart by Don Gutteridge is a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of poems. The poems span the author's lifetime; from a boy discovering nature to an adolescent with a crush on girls and on to his adulthood and blissful marriage. Gutteridge's poems vividly and succinctly capture moments and feelings such as the joy of falling in love, the serenity of a summer's day and the despair felt at life's unfairness. Most of the poems are loving tributes to the author's beloved wife and cherished grandson who have both passed away. Memories of everyday life are shared as well as poignant recollections of what Gutteridge loved most about his late wife and grandson. Gutteridge lovingly recalls happy and carefree times spent with his wife and grandson and describes the anguish he feels now living without them. All of the poems in this collection are exceptional but the poems on grief and loss were the most impactful for me. These poems are a testament to enduring love and the power of family bonds. This is a remarkable collection of poems about life, love, and loss.

Lover's Moon by Don Gutteridge is genuine, moving and intimate collection. Gutteridge continues to explore his major subjects - love, longing, grief, memories - in this rewarding latest collection. He continues to find ways to celebrate the fond memories of the past while mourning the loss of his loved ones and weaving a love for life well-lived. Written in the memory of his beloved wife, the title poem, "Lover's Moon," is suffused with intimacy as Gutteridge invites the reader to accompany him on a trip down memory lane. The book's central themes consist of love, memories, longing, pain, grief, boyhood lust, and passion. These poems shimmer with thematic heft without shying away from pain and grief. The collection is a love letter to his wife, a life fully lived and enjoyed. Balancing tenderness with strength, and love with pain, Gutteridge offers a complex portrait of a narrator navigating old age with grace. Brimming with poems full of heart, nostalgia, and feeling, this empathetic, wise, and honest work is well worth visiting again and again.

The Ardent Dark by Don Guttridge is a stunning latest book of poems combines a miscellaneous collection, comprising meditations on the leisurely boyhood days of sexual awakening, tributes to loved ones, and reflections on Bible stories from Sunday school, among others. In "All the Waters of the World", the opening poem, Gutteridge reflects on the sense of security and warmth that his beloved grandfather brought to his young, anxious mind. His attention to detail is sharp and his imagery apt and poignant, making the poems, in every sense, transporting: "Me just seven, my hand/ in his, loving to be led, / a sifting of sand beneath/ my feet, free to feel, / a sweep of beach from rim/ to rim, a whisper of waves/ before they bring their blue/ to bear."

The poems in More Boding than Blood by Don Gutteridge are a breath of fresh air. This collection is filled with honest and relatable poems about life, love, loss, sorrow, childhood, and much more. These poems seem to come out of the most vulnerable and deepest part of the author, and they are spectacular. There are a couple of poems that leave you dumbstruck, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time, just stunned. The poems strike something inside me that makes me want to weep and reach out to lost loves, family and friends and hug them for as long as I can. The poems make you want to read more and grow with each. More Boding than Blood is a heart-wrenching collection of small but powerful poems.

The narrative poems in Where Rivers Run Deep, by Don Gutteridge, can only be described with superlatives. The poems are a gorgeous offering for readers who enjoy poetry, with themes that appeal to the human spirit and our spiritual sense. What immediately strikes the reader as they start on the first poem is the beautiful rhythm - fast and musical. The poet employs very short lines and allows a river of life to flow through them. The poems are powerful, imbued with strong imagery. Gutteridge is a gifted poet who makes the reader feel things that are abstract. He takes those intangible feelings and writes them into objects and things that readers can touch and feel. The poems deal with spiritual themes and humanity and I particularly enjoyed the poet's reflections on his own humanity and how it connects him to everyone else. In our encounters with others, what takes precedence is our humanity, the fact that the same blood runs through our veins and that our joy can be shared. Where Rivers Run Deep is a delightful collection, each poem leaving the reader satisfied.

Death at Quebec by Don Gutteridge is a book of poetry published by Wet Ink Books of Canada. Gutteridge focuses his poetic skills on famous explorers, political leaders, visionaries, saints, and rebels in this collection for budding historians and poetry lovers alike. Alternating in style from short, hard-hitting verses ("Champlain") to longer pieces that read like confessional vignettes ("Death at Quebec"), the poems do not follow a strict narrative pattern as they explore pain, death, human spirit of adventure and exploration, freedom, oppression, martyrdom, courage, transformation, and resilience of humanity in the face of utmost difficulties. At times, though the enticing verses beg for more historical context to add further perspective; readers will benefit from reading about all the historical figures mentioned to gain a better perspective about their lives (with the exception of the last poem. This haunting collection will stay in readers' minds long after they have finished the book. Meticulously crafted, intense, and haunting... A marvelous collection.

Invincible Ink is a 128-page tribute to love by Canadian poet Don Gutteridge. It has been said that if you admire the work of Dylan Thomas such as "Do not go gentle in that good night", and Tomas Hardy's "The Darkling Thrush", you are probably going to love the fine work by Gutteridge. Poetry lovers, should be introduced to this contemporary poet who can equal the best of contemporary poetry, but whose work has the advantage of being more succinct than Grey's. Gutteridge's magical way with words will hold the reader entranced; everything he offers in "Invincible Ink" is uniquely expressed, from the poems about The Widow Bray, where her personal grief is entwined with the passing of the seasons to the tragedy of a child's death. Don Gutteridge writes much of death, but not exclusively so. I found "A Love Poem" and "Into an April Morning" irresistible; "A Love Poem" is especially sensual, and it concludes, correctly, with "I feel no need to say I love you". Succinct equals short, which means a huge number of poems in one volume, and I should be able to say you can dip in and out. I found that impossible. When I reached the last poem and read the line "I'd trade a hundred dawns to have you here again in my heart", I turned straight back to the beginning and read them all again. Invincible Ink by Don Gutteridge is one of the best poetry books, and definitely, the most distinctive, that you will ever have the privilege of reading. It is a must read.

Into the Milkweed Meadow is another stunning collection of poems by Canadian author, Don Gutteridge. This fine collection is an ode to nature, love, time, and the complex nuance of oft-overlooked emotions, this soft-spoken collection is magnificent in its quiet confidence. The collection is generously sprinkled with vivid and startling turns-of-phrase throughout. From the very first poem, Gutteridge graces readers with language like "come-summer breeze" and "lilies a-flame / in the hectic heat of a May / morning." Gutteridge is masterful with words, and the thematic explorations are playful and unpredictable, such as the naughty innocence of "Demure" or the restraint and patience displayed in "Walking, In Love." This is why Gutteridge is considered one of Canada's all-time best poets.