poetry plus

Daniela Elza, left, and Al Rempel read at Cafe Voltaire on Saturday.

PRINCE GEORGE - A new collection of four B.C. poets is giving readers more than just poetry, with the infusion of drafts, theory, translations and interviews.

The first in Mother Tongue's New B.C. Poets series, 4 poets, was launched in Prince George at Cafe Voltaire on Saturday. Two of the four writers in the book, Al Rempel and Daniela Elza, marked the event with readings.

Rempel, a local poet and teacher, started the night with selections from the collection, as well as offering a glimpse at poems from his upcoming first book of poetry, understories. Between poems he shared anecdotal stories about his writing process and influences that were often as poignant as his writing.

Elza held the audience with an expressive stage presence. She also used Prince George as a road test for performing a song for the first time. Done a cappella in Macedonian as part of the poem Interpreting The Winds, the song was met with enthusiasm from the crowd, and she responded that she'd perform it again at her next reading.

The two other poets featured in the book are Peter Morin and Onjana Yawnghwe. See Al Rempel read at the event below.

Al Rempel reads the poem Fretting Winter