Gary Geddes

“A concrete path extended from the dock 
to the residential school, not a tree 
or shrub to soften first impressions 
or ease the shock of entry.” 
_{- from: The Resumption of Play} 

Gary Geddes is a Canadian poet and writer. 

Geddes is inspired by places, their history and the experiences of the people in them, also finding inspiration in newspaper articles. In his poetry, he draws connections between people’s experiences and the nature and land in an often nostalgic way, quoting memories and uncovering the humanity and pain behind their stories. By centralizing the characters and diving deep into their personal feelings, he creates an intimate setting, which allows the readers to immerse themselves in that particular reality. The connection between land and human experience prompts Geddes’ relentless outspokenness concerning issues of human rights and environmentalism. 

After completing his doctorate at the University of Toronto Geddes taught at several universities in Canada and abroad, including Western Washington University, where he was Distinguished Professor of Canadian Culture. Gary Geddes has published twenty poetry collections, winning numerous awards such as the Lt.-Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence and the Gabriela Mistral Prize awarded by the government of Chile. Additionally, he writes fiction and drama and has been the editor of many significant anthologies, such as 70 Canadian Poets (2014). He has served as writer-in-residence at several universities and institutions.