HAMILTON READS
Liz Worth explores nature, ancestry, memory and the supernatural in her new collection of poems Inside Every Dream, a Raging Sea. She finds inspiration for her writing whenever she steps outside of her Hamilton home.
Liz Worth is a poet, novelist, and nonfiction writer whose exploration of ritual and symbolism doesn’t end with her writing. She’s also a professional tarot reader, a practice that inspired her most recent collection of poetry, Inside Every Dream, a Raging Sea. Her previous work includes Treat Me Like Dirt: An Oral History of Punk in Toronto and Beyond 1977-1981 and her supernatural novel The Mouth is a Coven.
“There are parallel processes between writing and reading tarot cards,” says Worth, who is a two-time nominee for the ReLit Award for Poetry. “Both rely on instinct and intuition, as well as skill and practice. They both rely on duality, merging craft and technique while pulling something out of the ether.”
Inside Every Dream, a Raging Sea explores the thin veil between magic and daily life, making ordinary moments seem extraordinary. The book’s title comes from one of the book’s 40-plus poems, which collectively explore nature, ancestry, and the supernatural.
“The phrase ‘inside every dream, a raging sea’ came from a line of questions I was meditating on in regards to my own ancestry,” says Worth. “I started to wonder about the dreams and landscapes of my ancestors: What did they see and know? What visions did they have as they slept? What if it turns out we all dream the same dreams within a family line? Whose memories reside within my bones via inheritance?”
Portrait photo: Lisa East
Worth says that memory plays a significant role in this book, and much of her work overall.
“When you're writing, the past is a great place to go digging for stories,” she says. “Much of this collection was written while my mother struggled with dementia, and so that experience also influenced some of the tone and themes throughout. It pushed a lot of the past to the surface.”
Worth, who lives and writes in Hamilton, says she doesn’t have a fancy writing set-up or routine. She simply tries to write something every week, even if it’s just the sketch of an idea.
“Most of my ideas come to me while I walk,” she says. “Anything can become an idea: A flyer on a telephone pole, a piece of graffiti, an interesting outfit someone is wearing. All you have to do is go outside and inspiration will find you.”
Speaking of inspiration, Worth says that Hamilton’s “vibrant” literary community is a constant source of motivation. “It makes it easy to stay inspired when you see other authors in your community pushing forward!”
Momma's Going to March
By Jennifer Maruno
In Momma's Going to March, retired elementary school teacher Jennifer Maruno shows young readers that advocacy can be fun. The colourful picture book written by the Burlington resident follows several children as they join their mothers at peaceful protests, advocating for freedom, equality, and environmental justice. Together, families make banners, decorate wagons, and beat drums, showcasing the important role children can play in building a better and more equitable world. Maruno’s empowering words are accompanied by vibrant illustrations by Toronto’s Vivian Rosas.
As Is
By Ben Robinson
As Is, a collection of poetry by Ben Robinson, is a counter-history of Hamilton, offering an alternative narrative that recognizes the city’s colonial past. Robinson, a librarian in Hamilton, looks at our city’s recorded history through an alternative lens, extracting details that one is unlikely to find in traditional history books. He brings together the past and present, challenging dominant narratives about Hamilton, examining how they define our local identity today. A study of place, As Is is an innovative look at history, connection, and the lasting impact of colonialism.
Honest as a Mother
Edited by Amanda Gurman
Struggling to manage motherhood? You’re not alone! In the third installment of Honest as a Mother, editor Amanda Gurman curates a collection of personal essays that remind readers that they’re not alone on a wild ride that can be challenging, isolating, and unpredictable. Gurman is one of a handful of contributors from the Hamilton area, including Ann Marie Hemmings, Holly Ngo, Jennifer Foster, and Lorraine Lowry. Honest as a Mother was written by mothers, for mothers, highlighting the not-so-sunny parts of parenting.
