Ted Plantos
"The memory is strong... read on."
My Farewell for Ted
By: Bunny Iskov
I feel very lucky to have known Ted Plantos. He was my friend and he was my mentor. Ted's passion for writing and publishing was a gift he shared with everyone he knew. Not only did Ted have his own wonderful books published, he also helped to promote and publish other writers, especially new poets.
When I told Ted that I wanted him to be TOPS first Life Member, he said, "Bunny, how do you expect to make any money if you make everyone a Life Member?" Ted was the catalyst to my own personal achievements in poetry. His gentleness, his kindness, his enthusiasm, his sense of humour and his wit and intelligence will be sorely missed.
The Ontario Poetry Society, in recognition of Ted's life work and accomplishments, has established The Ted Plantos Memorial Seed Money Fund. This program enables individuals and groups to promote Canadian poets—to be heard and to be read.
Poems & Tributes
Ted’s Long Waking
By: I.B. Iskov
Funeral of Ted Plantos
By: Harry Rudolfs (Feb 23/01)
The Two-Winter Year
By: John B. Lee
Ted Goes Home
By: Sheila Hyland
For Ted
By: George Swede
Ted Plantos: A Critic of Modernity
Reflections by Terry Barker (from "Beyond Bethune")
People's poetry and the Toronto and Canadian literary scenes have recently lost a very good friend, strong ally, and largely unsung hero. Ted was a founding member of, and tireless organizer for, the Canadian Poetry Association, recently serving as its President.
He co-founded and largely ran People's Poetry Letter and founded and edited The Literary Network News. Recently, too, he was closely associated with the work and activities of the Art Bar Poetry Reading Series and The Ontario Poetry Society.
Ted wrote and published eleven books of poetry, a children's book, a collection of short stories, and numerous essays. It will be as a People's Poet par excellence that Ted will be primarily remembered.
A Letter from James Mekler
Mekler & Deahl, Publishers
I feel that we poets who so admire and value Ted’s writing should work to place his poetry before the public. If we fail to keep his work alive, no one else will. Ted was a Cabbagetown writer. In a way Ted was like Raymond Souster, whose work he admired. If there were ever to be an anthology of poetry for and about Toronto, Ray and Ted would be its stars.
On behalf of May, who is a rather shy woman, I thank you for helping celebrate an amazing man and an amazing writer.
A Life in Letters
A People's Poet par excellence. Ted published eleven books of poetry, founded the Milton Acorn Memorial People's Poetry Award, and served as President of the Canadian Poetry Association.
Key Contributions:
- Ran the TPL Reading Series (1970-77)
- Co-founded Old Nun Publications
- Editor of Cross-Canada Writers’ Quarterly
- Established the People’s Poetry Letter
Further Reading:
Ted's work is featured in Beyond Bethune (Synaxis Press). Available at Humber College Bookstore or via synaxis@orthodoxcanada.org.