Undercurrent

Rita Wong is the author of three books of poetry: monkeypuzzle (Press Gang, 1998), forage (Nightwood Editions, 2007) and sybil unrest (Line Books, 2008, with Larissa Lai). forage was the winner of the 2008 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize and Canada Reads Poetry 2011. Wong is an associate professor in the Critical and Cultural Studies department at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design on the unceded Coast Salish territories also known as Vancouver. The water belongs to itself. undercurrent reflects on the power and sacredness of water—largely underappreciated by too many—whether it be in the form of ocean currents, the headwaters of the Fraser River or fluids in the womb. Exploring a variety of poetic forms, anecdote, allusion and visual elements, this collection reminds humanity that we are water bodies, and we need and deserve better ways of honouring this. Poet Rita Wong approaches water through personal, cultural and political lenses. She humbles herself to water both physically and spiritually: “i will apprentice myself to creeks & tributaries, groundwater & glaciers / listen for the salty pulse within, the blood that recognizes marine ancestry." She witnesses the contamination of First Nations homelands and sites, such as Gregoire Lake near Fort McMurray, AB: “though you look placid, peaceful dibenzothiophenes / you hold bitter, bitumized depths." Wong points out that though capitalism and industry are supposed to improve our quality of life, they're destroying the very things that give us life in the first place. Listening to and learning from water is key to a future of peace and creative potential. undercurrent emerges from the Downstream project, a multifaceted, creative collaboration that highlights the importance of art in understanding and addressing the cultural and political issues related to water. The project encourages public imagination to respect and value water, ecology and sustainability. Visit downstream.ecuad.ca. The Water Belongs To Itself. Undercurrent Reflects On The Power And Sacredness Of Water--largely Underappreciated By Too Many--whether It Be In The Form Of Ocean Currents, The Headwaters Of The Fraser River Or Fluids In The Womb. Exploring A Variety Of Poetic Forms, Anecdote, Allusion And Visual Elements, This Collection Reminds Humanity That We Are Water Bodies, And We Need And Deserve Better Ways Of Honouring This. Poet Rita Wong Approaches Water Through Personal, Cultural And Political Lenses. She Humbles Herself To Water Both Physically And Spiritually: I Will Apprentice Myself To Creeks & Tributaries, Groundwater & Glaciers / Listen For The Salty Pulse Within, The Blood That Recognizes Marine Ancestry. She Witnesses The Contamination Of First Nations Homelands And Sites, Such As Gregoire Lake Near Fort Mcmurray, Ab: Though You Look Placid, Peaceful Dibenzothiophenes / You Hold Bitter, Bitumized Depths. Wong Points Out That Though Capitalism And Industry Are Supposed To Improve Our Quality Of Life, They're Destroying The Very Things That Give Us Life In The First Place. Listening To And Learning From Water Is Key To A Future Of Peace And Creative Potential. Rita Wong ; With Drawings By Cindy Mochizuki. Poems--cover. A Blewointment Book. Includes Bibliographical References: Pages 81-86. Issued Also In Electronic Format. pacific flow 7 borrowed waters: the sea around us, the sea within us 10 mongo mondo 13 the wonders of being several 16 declaration of intent 20 fresh ancient ground 23 journey to the west 西遊記 29 night gift 32 too long a sacrifice 35 a magical dictionary from bitumen to sunlight 41 immersed 44 remembering the future 46 unsung service 49 medicines in the city 52 body burden: a moving target 58 雨 flush 63 pounce 65 pollution dodged? 68 bisphenol ache 71 motherboard 74 flash memory 77 north shore sewage story 80 lupus, a doubled being 83 for bing ai 87 threefold return 90 sunset 93 q’élstexw 95 take a st.and 97 alpha bets 100 inner compass, outer radar 103 dispatches from water’s journey 106 for Gregoire Lake which way does the wind blow? 112 detritus 115 dada-thay 117 sleepless in Somba K’e 123 what remains 126 #J28 129 holders 135 References & Influences 138 epilogue: letter sent back in time from 2115 148 Acknowledgements 152 About the Author 157 Statement about Becoming Worthy by Marika Swan 160 EBC,Converted