While in high school one of her friends was a niece of Margaret Avison. According to David A. Kent’s new Avison biography, Optic Heart (St. Thomas Poetry Series, 2026), “Corkett first met Avison while she was studying for her undergraduate degree at York [University], and over the next many years Avison acted as a counselor, literary advisor, friend, and support to her…” They began meeting weekly for tea, and Bible study. After Anne shared a few poems she’d written about Nova Scotia, Margaret gave her a book of Elizabeth Bishop’s poems, and they began to read poetry together. For many years she corresponded with Margaret Avison; the letters Corkett received are now archived at the University of Manitoba.
The following poem first appeared in Canadian Literature (Spring 1977).
Idle
I could believe
I am water — disliking
pressure, I meander; am much
given to idle
reflection.
There is a certain
amount to be learned
from the way water
manages its shallows,
the dull resistance
of stones, the earth
readily giving way.
I could believe
I am all things did
I not lack the perfect
accord of things whose
purpose is not
to seek purpose
but to teach there is
no elemental bar to the design.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of six poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), plus three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is now available from Paraclete Press.
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