The Long Arc of Hope

This collection of poems focuses on the moments of grace that are always present if we but look for them. It is in part a reflection on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic—a time that reminds us that we are often, in his words, like “a feather without a wing,” loose, drifting, and in part the result of lessons gleaned from his own life—growing up in tough times, feeling all too keenly the ache of absence. Honest, thought-provoking, and sensitive, this collection reflects Clarke’s belief in the need to embrace life with faith, hope, and an ever-gentle spirit of love: that’s where the child in us is constantly reborn in joy and gratitude.

Clarke is the award-winning author of 12 collections of poetry – eight published by Exile Editions – as well as three memoirs: The Kid from Simcoe Street, A Mourner’ s Kaddish: Suicide and the Rediscovery of Hope, and L’ Larche Journal, a Family’ s Experience in Jean Vanier’ s Community. The Legal Studies Forum of the University of West Virginia College of Law has published nine collections of James Clarke’ s law poems. His work has been widely anthologized both in Canada and the United States.

Prologue 1 Sections 3 A Pandemic Journey 21 From the Heart of the Poet-Judge 65 Growing up in Tough Times 83 The Way of the Artist 105 The Invitation to Love 123 The Ache of Absence 159 The Many Faces of Life in Our World 185 Consoled by Humour 205 As My Days Grow Longer 223 With Heartfelt Thanks Epilogue 253 Index of Poems 255 Biography 262 Acknowledgements 263