Blowing Up Growing Up: a Vancouver Life in Poems
About this event
Presented by John Givins
A poetry reading from Blowing Up Growing Up.
In this collection, John Givins' poetry began as a way of scribbling down thoughts as a creative escape while navigating the trauma of his wife’s long and at times life-threatening battle with cancer and its many demanding treatments. As her primary caregiver, writing poems offered him moments of reflection and relief.
At the heart of the book is a message of hope—a powerful force that has sustained them both through her 16-year cancer journey, which spans half of their years together.
This is the author’s first venture into writing, an unexpected path after once failing high school English Literature. Through poetry, he discovered a new and uplifting way to express his thoughts, often with a touch of whimsy.
The collection reflects on many themes: the life and love he shares with his wife Trish, friendships and the loss of friends, neighbourhood observations, travel stories, and family memories. Above all, the poems aim to be accessible, using clear, everyday imagery so that they can be enjoyed and understood by all readers.
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