Grain – Spring 2004

The same mistakes is not…a mistake. In fact, it’s a provocative and successful theme, beginning with editor Kent Bruyneed’s witty introduction and his description of these writers “doubting and soaring.” The poems and stories in this issue share a casual energy that is more difficult to achieve than it may at first seem, elevating mistakes to art.

The same mistakes is not…a mistake. In fact, it’s a provocative and successful theme, beginning with editor Kent Bruyneed’s witty introduction and his description of these writers “doubting and soaring.” The poems and stories in this issue share a casual energy that is more difficult to achieve than it may at first seem, elevating mistakes to art. The theme of admitting a mistake, telling on oneself, has moved these writers to elect tones and diction that are highly personal, without becoming sentimental, and exceedingly familiar, while still deliberate and artful. It’s surprising how much serious, thoughtful and original material is contained in what can appear so informal and natural, as in this poem by Michael Quilty, “Anniversary Ride: Theme of Opposition”: “a year ago this morning I sat in the closed room of a seminar, / the first hour the prof explained The Theme of Opposition / in Four Victorian Writers, / after our break she told us about the planes (and twin towers).” All of the work is strong, but several pieces warrant special mention:  Yann Martel’s scathing short fiction/social commentary, beautiful poems by warren heiti, and a very fine story, “Blue,” by Kim Trainor. [Grain, Box 67, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7K 3K1. E-mail: [email protected] . Single issue $9.95. http://www.grainmagazine.ca] – SR