A full house packed the Arts Centre last Saturday night to celebrate the work of poet and author Terry Barker who was in attendance with his wife Connie.
It was also an occasion to celebrate a sense of community – as MC David Roche pointed out. “This is what the Sunshine Coast is all about,” he said, looking out at the many faces in the audience. “This is what Terry is all about.”
Janice Williams read a piece that Barker wrote about her house many years ago in one of his Sunshine Sketches series that featured interesting landmarks and stories. Shelley Harrison Rae read from Barker’s book, Last Chance This Life, letters to his drug addicted son. They were mailed care of a church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside since the son was homeless, and they were a mixture of thoughts, jokes and poems.
“Advice, yes,” said Rae, “but also a desire to stay in communication with his son.”
Micheal D. Mann in his cowboy gear acted his part using a western drawl when he recited an unpublished poem by Barker, Outlaw of the Streets. It told how to get around when you’ve given up your driver’s licence – and it had some of the Barker sass to it. Other friends spoke lovingly and MLA Nicholas Simons called Barker “a giant in our community.”
Richard Austin Borthwick composed a new tribute to Barker which he recited: “All you’ve given / you will never die / so long as readers read and poets sigh.”
The best quip came from Barker himself. Looking out at the guests in the room he said, “You know, I’m so glad this isn’t a funeral.” Barker talked about poetry as “the place where you put raw emotion on paper.” His poem describing the day that his wife left for Shorncliffe Care Home (where they both live now) was a bittersweet one.
Anna Lumiere played Gershwin tunes throughout the evening. It was ‘S Wonderful, ‘S Marvellous that summed up the good vibes in the room.
