I Am the Poem By Alvin G. Ens
I am the poem
conceived in ecstasy
shaped in embryonic thought
birthed in burst of labour
coddled or ignored
I am the poem
an infinitesimal pebble
weighted fingered chosen
sheathed and slung
to slay the next Goliath
I am the poem
shaped by history shaping history
being understood I understand
graduating green and glowing
to please or perish
I am the poem
praised into local saint or sage
a speck in the universe
to be entered into history
as a footnote
Copyright © 2005 Alvin G. Ens. Used with permission
Born in Saskatchewan, Ens has deep roots in the Canadian prairies but has been transplanted to BC for the last thirty years.
He has spent thirty-six years teaching high school English. His interest in writing has been longstanding but he has been able to be more actively at it in his retirement.
His book of poetry, I Am the Poem, was released in April 2005.
He has been published in a variety of magazines and newspapers from Update (BC English Teachers), The Vancouver Sun (Voices column), The Abbotsford News (Religion column), The Times (Faith Today column) to Canadian Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren Herald, BC Christian News and others.
He has published a book of religious poetry, Musing on the Sermon, and is found in several anthologies: Harvest: Anthology of Mennonite Writing in Canada (1974), Echoes from the Valley (Langley Writers' Guild, 1984), Colours of Life (MSA Poets Potpourri Society - Abbotsford, BC, 2002), Down in the Valley (UCFV, 2004) and Poetic Spirits of the Valley (MSA Poets Potpourri Society, 2006).
He holds degrees from University of Saskatchewan, Canadian Mennonite Bible College and University of Western Washington.
He is a member of MSA Poets Potpourri in Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Christian Writers Group, and Canadian Poetry Association.
He is an active member of West Abbotsford Mennonite Church. He is husband to Irene and father of three children. He enjoys curling in winter and golfing and gardening in summer.
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