The Ontario Poetry Society Presents

The Ted Plantos Memorial Award

2006 Winner: John Aylsworth Ide

About the Author

A former visual artist, John's poetry has been published in quality literary journals, including Dandelion Magazine and Surface and Symbol, where his poem "As I Walk" received an Honourable Mention award in April, 2005. His work has also been featured in many of T.O.P.S.' publications, including The Writes of Freedom anthology, Unlocking the Muse anthology, and in several issues of Verse Afire.

Congratulations to John Aylsworth Ide, in recognition of being selected the 2006 recipient of The Ted Plantos Memorial Award.

Selected Poetry by John Aylsworth Ide

St. Joseph's Oratory

Cold morning sunlight warms 
the grey-blue granite of the dome. 
Inside, row upon row of candles burn 
in blue-glass holders, votives for 
the dead and dying.  Thousands of crutches 
hang from the walls, relics of 
the lame who walked.  High 
under the concrete arch 
above the marble altar, sunlight 
streaming through narrow clerestory windows 
strikes the heavy, silver-plated cross.  
There is a smell of incense in 
the air, of beeswax, old wood and 
flowers; and there is a stillness here, 
a peace that is not in the street below. 

Birds

Birds flew as he lay dying, flocks across 
the sky, and through his 
bones, shadows 
dark against his blood 
as he lay softly 
breathing.  Death 
was like the birds, a blessing come 
at last to free him of 
himself, his memories, 
sins.  Women drew 
the curtains, washed him, 
dressed him, buried him 
(singing sweetly) 
in the temple, Earth.

Interested in applying for the next Ted Plantos Award?

Applications are open to poets residing in Ontario.

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