“A brave, original, memorable collection.”
Malcolm Guite, Poet, Singer-Songwriter, Priest, and Academic
“…fiercely present…committed to justice-making as well as to the mysteries of being…”
Susan McCaslin, Poet, Writer, and Educator
Mute Swan Synopsis and Endorsements
Mute Swan is an exploration of voice—voices misnamed, silenced, discounted, or subverted. Within a context of historic and contemporary Christendom, yet blurring perceptions of both, the poet offers a story of spiritual awakening and “unmuting.” Unwilling to look away from injustice, impermanence, longing, grief and love, the poet writes a way toward spiritual freedom. Mute Swan is a love letter calling us home.
“…meticulous brilliance…vivid, highly evocative…crisp, and quietly intense…”
Diane Tucker, Poet, Editor, Fiction Writer, and Playwright
“…the cheeky air of a rhetorical argument…breathtaking…clever…cunning…simultaneously nurturing and wild…”
Cole Klassen, Genderfluid Musician, Poet, and Teacher
“…earthy, raw…rich birthing imagery…poems where everything belongs.”
Christine Valters Paintner, Benedictine Oblate, Poet, and Spiritual Director
“…a story beckoning me to a supper table where even the most rejected, fearsome and lonely parts can know home.”
Gareth Higgins, Author, Storyteller, and Peacemaker
“…delightfully feminist in its embodied all-inclusive natural imagery…”
Katerina Vaughan Fretwell, Poet, Artist, Journalist, and Reviewer
“Moving fluently between languages of nature, silence, and faith…”
Jordan Hartt, Poet, Reader, Teacher, Community and Events Organizer
Availability
Mute Swan may be purchased at:
The St. Thomas Poetry Series
Amazon.ca
Regent College Bookstore, Vancouver, BC
“Read Local Okanagan” Pop-ups
Indigo, Kelowna
Lesley-Anne’s in-person readings
Mute Swan is available to read at:
The University of Toronto Library
St. Mary’s University Library, Halifax
University of British Columbia-Okanagan
Okanagan Regional Library
Reviews
The BC Review (formerly The Ormsby Review): “A voice for the mute swan,” by Cole Klassen
“The Natural Calls Forth the Supernatural: A Reflection on Mute Swan by Lesley-Anne Evans,” by Diane Tucker
Toronto Book Launch
An evening of poetry, with readings by St. Thomas Poetry Series poets, Lesley-Anne Evans, Bruce Meyer, and Bruce Hunter, was held on April 22, 2023 in the St. Thomas Anglican Church, Toronto. This in-person event was also live streamed and is available to view HERE.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the League of Canadian Poets.
“A remarkable debut collection…” David Kent, Publisher, The St. Thomas Poetry Series
Kelowna Book Launch
A celebration among a small gathering of friends and family members, was held on December 11, 2021, in Lesley-Anne’s living room at Feeny Wood, B.C.. This event was live streamed and is available to view HERE.
Lesley-Anne Evans 