Roo Borson, Biography
Born 20 January 1952. B.A. from Goddard College (1973), M.F.A. from the University of British Columbia (1977).
Writer in Residence at the University of Western Ontario 1987-88, and at Concordia University 1993. Has given readings across Canada, in the United States and in Australia, and is represented in a wide array of anthologies, including The New Oxford Book of Canadian Verse, the Norton Introduction to Poetry, the Norton Introduction to Literature, and The Morningside Papers. Currently lives in Toronto with poet Kim Maltman, and with Kim Maltman and Andy Patton is a member of the collaborative performance poetry ensemble Pain Not Bread.
Poetry
In the smoky light of the fields. Toronto : Three Trees Press, 1980.
Intent, or, The weight of the world. Toronto : McClelland and Stewart, 1989.
Landfall. Fredericton, N.B. : Fiddlehead Poetry Books , 1977.
Night walk : selected poems. Toronto, Ont. : Oxford University Press, 1994.
Rain Moonbeam, Ont. : Penumbra Press, 1980.
A sad device Dunvegan, Ont. : Quadrant editions, 1981.
The transparence of November ; Snow . Kingston, Ont. : Quarry Press, 1985.
Water memory Toronto : McClelland and Stewart, 1996.
The whole night, coming home Toronto : McClelland and Stewart, 1984.
Awards
Macmillan Poetry Prize (U.B.C.) 1977
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Prize for Poetry, 1982 and 1989
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Prize for Personal Essay, 1991
Governor General’s Award Finalist 1984 and 1994
National Magazine Awards Finalist 1990 and 1993
Malahat Review Long Poem Prize (in collaboration with Kim Maltman and Andy Patton, as PAIN NOT BREAD) 1993
National Magazine Awards Finalist (PAIN NOT BREAD) 1993