Milton Acorn

The People’s Poet

Compiled by Kent Martin and Errol Sharpe  Photographs by Kent Nason  

Paperback $24.95

Are you a student?

When Canadian icon and original Canadian People’s Poet Milton Acorn was passed over for the Governor General’s Award for his 1969 collection I’ve Tasted My Blood, several of his peers, including Margaret Atwood, Pat Lane and Mordecai Richler, established the People’s Poetry Award, which they presented to Milton at a ceremony at Grossman’s Tavern in Toronto in 1970.

When I’ve Tasted My Blood was re-issued in 1978 by Steel Rail Publishing, Milton wrote corrections and edits for the new edition on a copy of the original book. Milton Acorn: The People’s Poet reproduces that copy of I’ve Tasted My Blood with Milton’s handwritten notes. It also includes never-before-published photographs of Milton taken by Kent Nason, a studio recording of Milton reading many of his poems, and a 1971 documentary film about Milton Acorn made by Kent Martin and Errol Sharpe.

Though Milton Acorn died in 1986 at a young age, the prolific poet, writer and playwright is still remembered as one of Canada’s greatest poets. This one-of-a-kind multi-media collectors item and memorial is a must have for everyone who counts themselves a fan of the original Canadian People’s Poet.

Roseway Publishing
  • Poetry
  • ISBN: 9781552667262
  • March 2015
  • 176 Pages
  • $24.95
  • For sale worldwide

Request Exam Copy

Reviews

  • Milton Acorn has faded somewhat from the national poetic consciousness, something this book aims to remedy, with excellent results.

    — Brenda Austin-Smith for Canadian Dimension (full review)

Contents

  • Preface: Remembering Milton (Errol Sharpe)
  • About This Book
  • Introduction by Al Purdy
  • Poems
  • Photographs

Authors

  • Kent Martin

    Kent Martin has produced, directed, edited, photographed and written well over a hundred films and television series dealing with history, economics, the arts, the environment, spirituality and humour. These works have garnered twenty Genie and Gemini awards and nominations, six Donald Brittain Award nominations and two Canada Awards. A feature documentary, Westray, was short listed for an Academy Award.

  • Errol Sharpe

    Errol Sharpe is a publisher at Fernwood Publishing. He holds an MA in Atlantic Canadian Studies from Saint Mary’s University and is co-author of In Pursuit of Justice: Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op and the Fair Trade Movement.

Subscribe to our newsletter and take 10% off your first purchase.