Apart from Al Purdy my favourite Canadian poet is Irving Layton (1912-2006). This is honed, no bullshit lyrical writing. 'Rain at La Minerve', 'North of Eden' and 'Grand Finale' are fine representative examples of his work. Leonard Cohen said of Layton, 'I taught Layton how to dress and he taught me how to live forever.' Sam Solecki provides an insightful introduction about the man and his art in my 2004 edition of Layton's collection.
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