Antler River Poetry FKA Poetry London – Antler River Poetry hosts and celebrates nationally acclaimed and local poets. Poetry readings, workshops, contests & other events.

As we continue to amplify the voices of diverse and vibrant poets from across the breadth of Nations, territories, habitats, waterways, and provinces commonly known as Canada, we recognize that “Poetry London” uses colonial language that does not reflect our organization’s ethos. We are in the process of changing the name of the Poetry London reading series to Antler River Poetry, which borrows from the transliterated Anishinabemowin Deshkan Ziibi, one of the original and continuous names for the river… Read on.

Antler River Poetry Presents Lily Wang and Shani Mootoo with local opener Jules Lee!

Wednesday October 22, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Library at 167 Wortley Road

We are thrilled to welcome authors Lily Wang and Shani Mootoo with local opener Jules Lee for our next reading! As the weather starts to cool down, come out and warm up with some great poetry.

When: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Landon Library (167 Wortley Rd.)
Cost & Accessibility: Free / Accessible

Big thanks to our sponsors for their continued support:

Merci Beaucoup!

Merci beaucoup to Colleen Collins, Chantal Neveu, and Erín Moure for a fantastic season opening event, and to Alex Hann (@garbagepailpapi) for sharing his **Orange Shirt Day / La Journée du chandail orange** design as the thematic backdrop of the evening. Congrats to Alex and Rezonance Printing on a beautiful collaboration! Gratitude also to our continuing sponsors: London Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, London Public Library, Book*hug Press, Biblioasis Books, and digibee.net for your support. A great night, with more ahead!

Antler River Poetry présente Chantal Neveu et Erín Moure avec Colleen Coco Collins!

Antler River Poetry Presents Chantal Neveu & Erín Moure with Colleen Coco Collins!

The season kicks off in just a few days with our first event on Wednesday, September 17th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Landon Branch Library, 167 Wortley Road. This special event is bilingual, in French and English. We hope to see you there!

La saison débute dans quelques jours avec notre premier événement le mercredi 17 septembre, de 19h00 à 20h30, à la bibliothèque Landon Branch, 167 Wortley Road. Cet événement spécial est bilingue, en français et en anglais. Nous espérons vous y voir!

Antler River Poetry is delighted to announce the readers for our upcoming 2025/2026 season!

We will be posting the poets’ bios, photos, and event details soon.

Sept 17, 2025: Chantal Neveu & Erín Moure with Colleen Coco Collins
Oct 22, 2025: Lily Wang & Shani Mootoo
Nov 19, 2025: Melissa Powless Day & Matthew-Ray Jones
Jan 21, 2026: Nyx Lewis-Schmidt & Terese Mason Pierre
Feb 25, 2026: Kyle Flemmer & Domenica Martinello
Mar 18, 2026: sophie anne edwards & D.A. Lockhart
Apr 22, 2026: Jody Chan & Blair Trewartha

Our poets will be reading from their books published by the following fine presses: Book*hug Press, Biblioasis, House of Anansi Press, Palimpsest Press, Gordon Hill Press, Latitude 46 Publishing, Wolsak and Wynn, Coach House Books, Talonbooks, Kegedonce Press, and Brick Books.

We thank all our sponsors, partners, and volunteers for their generous support of our upcoming 2025/2026 season. We are grateful for your investment in Canadian poetry and for helping make this season a reality. Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the London Arts Council, the London Public Library, the League of Canadian Poets, and digibee.net.

The 2025 London Black Heritage Council Emancipation Day Poetry Contest on the theme ‘Remembering Black Londoners Past & Present’

We are delighted to publish the winning poems of the second annual Emancipation Day poetry contest judged by Matthew Dawkins, Cornel Grey, and Christina Lord.

This contest was hosted by the London Black Heritage Council (LBHC) in partnership with Spoken Culture and Antler River Poetry, with generous support from Fanshawe Pioneer Village and The Hamilton Road BIA.

About the London Black Heritage Council

“London Black Heritage Council, formerly known as the London Black History Coordinating Committee (LBHCC)…has been an essential pillar in promoting and preserving Black history and culture in London, Ontario. Since its inception in 2002, the committee has dedicated itself to raising awareness of the significance of Black History Month, providing impactful programming, and advocating for equity and inclusion within the local community.”

From the LBHC about Emancipation Day

“Slavery was abolished throughout the British colonies with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act on August 1, 1833. Since 1834, Emancipation Day celebrations occurred in Ontario and Quebec then in communities throughout the rest of Canada in 1846 and 1858.”

1^st Place: Walls, Voices, Legacy! by Kolapo Abdul

Walls, Voices, Legacy!

I walk through London, slow like the Thames,
Brick walls speak; their brows furrowed in flame.
Black voices—whispers, then roars—fill the air,
Stories rise, bold as the wind in their hair.

Shack came north with dust on his boots,
Dreams in his bag, justice in pursuit.
Cutting hair, telling tales, holding ground—
A hero reborn where hope is found.

His shop—light and legacy fused—
James walked in, by courage amused.
Founded a paper, The Dawn rang true,
Lifted the broken, told what they knew.

Aurelia stitched grace in the fold of each quilt,
Fed the forgotten, softened guilt.
Guided the weary, baked strength in bread,
Lit the path that others tread.

Christina stood strong when James was gone,
Her ink kept the voices marching on.
Parks now echo with joy and pride,
Community rooted, history wide.

Alexandra paints change in vibrant hue,
Charles builds dreams where gardens grew.
Each day they rise with voices clear—
Black Londoners, fierce and near.

August sun burns bold—Emancipation Day,
Two centuries deep, but the ache still stays.
Londoners gather, proud, yet torn,
Their roots in chains, their spirits reborn.

The Chapel stands, worn and wise,
Its silence heavy with ancestral cries.
Some stories lost, some barely told—
Freedom’s shadow, memory’s hold.

We carry what history forgets to write,
The quiet struggle, the long night.
But joy survives—in song, in youth,
Black Londoners walking truth.

From sorrowed steps to beats and parade,
In every breath, their mark is made.
We rise together, voices spun—
Work unfinished, but never undone.

Read the poem ↓

Kolapo Abdul, widely known as Kola-Poems, is a prolific poet with over 400 works exploring themes of love, peace, and significant historical events, including many commemorative days. His poetry blends fiction and creative expression often performed live. Kola-Poems believes poetry is vital for teaching history, fostering empathy, building community, protesting injustice, and sharing untold stories. He is currently seeking publishers. Instagram: @kola.poems

What the judges had to say about Kolapo’s poem: “This piece powerfully engages with the contest’s invitation to pay tribute to Black Londoners past and present. The poet draws the reader into a rich dialogue with local public figures and historical memory, referencing individuals like James and Christina Jenkins and cultural productions such as The Dawn of Tomorrow newspaper. The poem skillfully blends past and present, invoking legacy not as something fixed or distant, but as something active and ongoing. Through vivid imagery and intentional literary devices, the poet challenges us to consider what we inherit and what we must continue to build. The tone is both urgent and reflective, honouring those who came before while calling us to carry the work forward. This is a striking and resonant piece that ensures history does not remain behind glass but continues to shape the present.”

2^nd Place: Dreaming Black Boy by Aqil Melchoir

Dreaming Black Boy

who told you to waste the night away
creating fantasies till the sun rose,
finding innocence in that lock-up classroom and joy
in the open field playing tag with perceived familiars

tell me when your sun-kissed hue turned to shame
and when isolation grew like vines round your throat,
did you learn the way of the world then,
learned freedom was a facade heavily policed?

when pounds of pressure forced down on your neck
and your corrupt protector greedy and vile
took your mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, child,
while long gone slave chapels provided no more refuge

did you find your purpose then? or did thunderous rage overcome?
when late nights and marches turned to blood-stained asphalt on Dundas,
crippling fear metastasized in your heart
and lessons taught composure served you no purpose

if you had burned the city down in a wrathful inferno,
perhaps then you would be taken seriously,
you must blame yourself for your own ignorance
silly little negro playing games with pretty words.

Read the poem ↓

Aqil Melchoir is an emerging poet based in London, Ontario, currently studying at the University of Toronto. With ethnic roots in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, he draws inspiration from his heritage, a deep love for literature, and his experiences as a young Black man living in today’s society. His writing often reflects themes of belonging, racial identity, immigration, nature and climate change among others. Instagram: @aqilpoetry

What the judges had to say about Aqil’s poem: “A beautifully crafted poem, “Dreaming Black Boy” offers a sober and deeply moving meditation on Black identity, vulnerability, and resistance. Engaging directly with James Berry’s poem of the same name, it both echoes and subverts the original, producing a voice that feels intergenerational yet urgently of the present. What emerges is a powerful reckoning with the precarity of Black boyhood, where innocence is never protected and violence is never far. The poem does not look away from this reality. Instead, through unflinching language, it weaves introspection with social critique, holding space for both mourning and imagination in a world that too often denies both.”

3^rd Place: Roots and Rising Voices by Ibukun Kolapo

Roots and Rising Voices

I arrived in London, Ontario
A young girl from Africa,
Hope shimmering in my eyes,
Heart full of stories
About Black communities thriving.

Everywhere I turned,
I saw Black hands building futures—
Nurses with kind smiles,
Doctors guiding the ill with care,
Teachers lighting paths for the next generation,
Students reaching higher, with quiet brilliance.

Wandering through city streets, I found African grocery stores,
Rich with familiar scents and flavors—
Jollof and plantains whispering “home.”
Laughter spilled out of storefronts,
Heritage stitched into every shelf, A safe space to belong.

I discovered the history—
Stories of those who came seeking freedom
After the Fugitive Slave Act,
People who rebuilt their lives with grit and grace,
Their cultures intertwined, still woven into the soul of this city.

It wasn’t always easy.
I heard voices echoing struggle and strength—
Tales of racism endured, Hard truths spoken with dignity,
Children taught to stand tall
Even when the winds pushed back.

But I saw unity too. Community groups reaching out,
Helping newcomers find their footing,
Standing firm for justice,
Marching through Victoria Park
With voices raised and hearts aligned.

In hospitals, classrooms, storefronts,
The impact was undeniable—
Resilience, triumph, and deep pride.
London grew stronger
Because Black communities held it up.

And now, As someone new to this legacy,
I speak my truth, Add my story,
And hold my place in this ongoing journey.

Read the poem ↓

Ibukun Deborah Kolapo is a 14-year-old poet and an immigrant to Canada. She is passionate about reading and creative expression. Ibukun believes poetry is a powerful way to share and preserve history. Her writing explores themes such as Black girls’ experiences and Black history, aiming to inspire and inform others.

What the judges had to say about Ibukun’s poem: “This poem stood out for its intimate use of the first person, grounding the reader in both personal memory and collective history. With vivid imagery of African grocery stores, jollof rice, and plantains, it evokes the cultural landscape of London, Ontario, as lived and remembered. The speaker offers a powerful retelling of how Black communities have taken ‘root’ and flourished in the city, while also tracing connections between contemporary life and the afterlife of emancipation. Anchored in local references like Victoria Park, the poem balances reflection with hope, portraying growth not just as personal, but a communal endeavour.”

Emancipation Day Poetry Contest: Deadline Extended!

We’re thrilled to announce an extension for the Second Annual Emancipation Day Poetry Contest. The new deadline for submissions is now Friday, July 11th. Consider this a friendly heads-up: you’ve got extra time to polish and submit your poems! We can’t wait to read them!

Emancipation Day Poetry Contest 2025: Remembering Black Londoners Past & Present

We’re excited to announce the second annual Emancipation Day Poetry Contest, proudly presented by the London Black Heritage Council!

About Emancipation Day

Slavery was abolished throughout the British colonies with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act on August 1, 1833. Since 1834, Emancipation Day has been celebrated across Ontario and Quebec, and later throughout the rest of Canada in 1846 and 1858.

Join us for this year’s Emancipation Day Celebration on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. This event is a proud partnership between The London Black Heritage Council and WEAN Community Centre.

Contest Details

Theme:

Remembering Black Londoners Past & Present

Who Can Enter:

New and aspiring Black writers and writers of colour
Residents of London, Ontario / Deshkan Ziibiing and the surrounding area

Submission Requirements:

One poem, any style, on the contest theme
Maximum 40 lines
Must be original, unpublished work (no AI entries allowed)
Submit by Friday, July ~~4th~~ 11th 2025

How to Submit:

This contest is free to enter! Send your poem in .doc or .pdf format to arpcontest@gmail.com. In the body of your email, please include your name, contact information, and the title of your poem. To ensure fair judging, please do not include your name within the poem itself, as submissions will be presented to judges anonymously.

What Happens After You Submit:

All writers will receive notification regarding their submissions. Three winners will be chosen:

1st prize: $100
2nd prize: $75
3rd prize: $50

The three winning poets will be invited to read their winning poems at this year’s Emancipation Day Celebration. Their entries will also be published here on the Antler River Poetry website, and they’ll be considered for future performance opportunities with London Black Heritage Council, Spoken Culture, and Antler River Poetry.

Community Partners & Sponsors

This contest is made possible through dedicated community partnerships. London Black Heritage Council launched it last year in collaboration with Spoken Culture and Antler River Poetry. We extend a special thanks to Fanshawe Pioneer Village and the Hamilton Road BIA for their generous sponsorship support this year!

The 2025 Antler River Poetry Contest Winning Poems

We are thrilled to publish the winning poems of our 2025 open theme poetry contest judged by Ayaz Pirani. Along with the winning poems, we are including the poets’ photos and bios.

First Prize: “Water, Aquarium” by Krista Lysack

Water, Aquarium

There was the time we both looked
out the train window
(at some in-between stop: where the
weeds overtook the tracks and
piper birds, blown in from the lake, fished along the ties) and saw
those two guys, two hosers,
port an empty aquarium outside from
one post-war house to the one right next door.

I mean, we didn’t see them leave the first house
and go into the next. But it was
pretty clear that they were on their way and
would get there. It was a
only a short distance.

The whole thing was an afterthought, maybe.
An aside. A why or a what-next. A brief stop along the way. We must
understand more about the strange edges of any given Bruegel painting
than this.

But the water. Did they dump it out before, or would they be
filling things up again? And where were all the fish?

Why do some things come up empty.
What makes that easier, harder.

I’m not sure how I would move around a
large amount of liquid without something to carry it.
I don't know how rivers do this all the time, or how
oceans know the space around them.

Read the poem ↓

Originally from the Swan River Valley in Manitoba (located on Treaty 4), Krista Lysack is an English professor at King’s University College here in London. She is the author of two academic books and numerous articles. A lyric essay, “Shelterbelt,” appears in a recent anthology, Speculative Nature Writing, published in the UK by Guillemot Press.

Second Prize: “There is a woman in my building” by Brian Baker

There is a woman in my building

who lives in the apartment below me and
on Friday mornings can be found at the table across
the room from us with her friends and
their teas and coffees and biscuits. Sometimes we
meet in the lobby--she is on her way to the game,
I am headed out to the east end of the city.
On the way back from those places we stop at
grocery stores and gas stations and doctors’
offices, we fill out the forms, we send out the
mail, we drop off the gift, we leave the country, we
do so many things but, at the end of almost every day,
we are no more than twelve feet away
from each other, lying restlessly awake.

Read the poem ↓

Brian Baker, an associate member of the League of Canadian Poets, has been manipulating language since the late eighties, appearing in journals like The Antigonish Review, Windsor Review, Dandelion, The Lyric and, more recently, print and online journals such as Stanchion, Vast Chasm, Poetry Pause, and High Shelf Press, among others.

3rd Prize: “Scattered Sense” by Matthew Rooney

Scattered Sense

An end to all; an end to everything.
In fear we can’t forget
it’s all a theory, and no one knows
how death begins or how it ends.

The void, perhaps, is beautiful—
but, of course, we could not see.
For every being will have stopped
and every nerve destroyed.

Consciousness must be worth more,
for parts, than the cruder stuff
that makes us work—what a waste
to toss it with the bones and maggots.

Some small part should be recycled
to burn on the nerves of those
flies that eat this emptied corpse.
Not second life, but scattered sense

Read the poem ↓

Matthew Rooney is a PhD candidate at Western University, where his research focuses on embodied navigation in early modern literature. His poetry has appeared in venues such as Queen’s Quarterly, Humber Literary Review, and Best Canadian Poetry. The Deshkaan-ziibi / Antler river is his favourite part of London.

We now have our three poetry contest winners!

Antler River Poetry is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Open Theme Poetry Contest:

First Prize: “Water, Aquarium” by Krista Lysack
Second Prize: “There is a woman in my building” by Brian Baker
Third Prize: “Scattered Sense” by Matthew Rooney

Be among the first to hear the winning poems! The poets will read their works at our April 23rd reading event, ahead of their publication here on the website later this month. For their photos and bios, please click the links in the list above.

Antler River Poetry Presents Nathanael Jones & Zoe Whittall. With performance by CMJustice

Wednesday April 23, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Central Library, Lawson Room

Our last event of the regular season is quickly approaching! Please join us on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 in the Lawson Room at the Central Library downtown as we welcome the incredible Nathanael Jones & Zoe Whittall with performance by local opener CMJustice.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Contest and April Reading Update

Thank you to all who submitted their poems. We are pleased to have received a good response. Please note that Ayaz Pirani, while still acting as our poetry contest judge, won’t be able to travel to London for the April 23rd reading. However, we’re thrilled to welcome Nathanael Jones as our new cofeatured poet for the event. You can find more information about Nathanael Jones in his bio.

Psst… London, ON poets! The deadline for our 2025 Open Theme Poetry Contest has been extended to Monday March 24, 2025.

Antler River Poetry is now officially accepting submissions to our 2025 Open Theme Poetry Contest

The winning poets will have their work published on Antler River Poetry’s website and will be invited to read their winning pieces at our April event. For guidelines, please check the Poetry Contest page.

First Prize is $100; Second Prize is $75, and Third Prize is $50.

Antler River Poetry Presents Ashley-Elizabeth Best & Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang

Wednesday March 19th from 7:00pm-8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library in Wortley Village

Happy March! We hope you’re enjoying this lovely afternoon & that you will join us for a wonderful evening of poetry on Wednesday March 19 from 7-8:30PM at Landon Library in Wortley Village as we welcome the incredible Ashley-Elizabeth Best & Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang with local opener Michelle Owusu-Ansah. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Poet Bios:

Michelle Owusu-Ansah is a poet, spoken word artist, law student, and the founder of Spoken Culture. Her work explores themes of identity, resilience, and social justice, using storytelling to spark meaningful conversations. She has performed across Ontario, including at the ECA Awards and the Enbridge Mentorship Program Launch at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto.

Through Spoken Culture, she creates spaces where poetry uplifts and empowers. She organized the Black History Slam and co-launched London’s first Emancipation Day Poetry Contest, amplifying Black voices in the arts. Building on this work, Spoken Culture is launching a podcast to further elevate artists and foster dialogue. Michelle is dedicated to making poetry a force for healing, empowerment, and transformation.

Antler River Poetry Presents Em Dial & Michelle Doege

Wednesday February 26th, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library at 167 Wortley Road

February might be the month of snowstorms, but it’s also another month of poetry ❄️ We’re pleased to announce that the readers of this month’s event are the incredible Em Dial & Michelle Doege. We hope you’ll join us one week from today, Wednesday, February 26, from 7-8:30pm at Landon Library in Wortley Village for what is sure to be a wonderful night. ♥️

Poet Bios:

Kicking off 2025 w/ great poetry from @ehjchang #RonnaBloom & #ShannonArntfield Jan 22!

Big thanks to our audience (who braved the cold) & our generous sponsors:@LdnArtsCouncil @ONArtsCouncil @CanadaCouncil #WolsakandWynn @digibeenet @londonlibrary #WLUPress @CanadianPoets pic.twitter.com/YD85sBnP6v

— Antler River Poetry (@poetrylondon_ca) February 5, 2025

Antler River Poetry Presents Ellen Chang-Richardson & Ronna Bloom with local opener Shannon Arntfield

Wednesday January 22nd, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library at 167 Wortley Road

We hope you all had a wonderful and restful holiday & a warm start to the New Year. We are delighted to announce that our first event of 2025, taking place on Wednesday January 22 from 7-8:30PM at the Landon Public Library in Wortley Village, will feature the incredible Ellen Chang-Richardson & Ronna Bloom with local opener Shannon Arntfield. We do hope you’ll join us for what is sure to be an exceptional evening.

Poet Bios:

Ellen Chang-Richardson
Ronna Bloom
Shannon Arntfield (bio below)

Shannon Arntfield is a second-career trauma therapist and poet whose work explores the bodymind continuum, the transformative power of vulnerability, and the challenges and rewards of renegotiating trauma. Her debut book collection Python Love is forthcoming from University of Alberta Press. Her debut chapbook Fallen Horseman was published by Anstruther Press in 2023. She lives in London, Ontario.

Great memories of our final 2024 reading on Nov 23 w/ #MoezSurani #CoryLavender & @egnlafleur! Big thanks to our audience & our generous event sponsors:@LdnArtsCouncil @ONArtsCouncil @CanadaCouncil #GaspereauPress @bookhugpress @digibeenet @londonlibrary pic.twitter.com/oFqBxQJfJU

— Antler River Poetry (@poetrylondon_ca) January 3, 2025

Antler River Poetry Presents Lily Wang and Shani Mootoo with local opener Jules Lee!

Wednesday October 22, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Library at 167 Wortley Road

Merci Beaucoup!

Antler River Poetry présente Chantal Neveu et Erín Moure avec Colleen Coco Collins!

Antler River Poetry is delighted to announce the readers for our upcoming 2025/2026 season!

The 2025 London Black Heritage Council Emancipation Day Poetry Contest on the theme ‘Remembering Black Londoners Past & Present’

We are delighted to publish the winning poems of the second annual Emancipation Day poetry contest judged by Matthew Dawkins, Cornel Grey, and Christina Lord.

About the London Black Heritage Council

From the LBHC about Emancipation Day

1st Place: Walls, Voices, Legacy! by Kolapo Abdul

2nd Place: Dreaming Black Boy by Aqil Melchoir

3rd Place: Roots and Rising Voices by Ibukun Kolapo

Emancipation Day Poetry Contest: Deadline Extended!

Emancipation Day Poetry Contest 2025: Remembering Black Londoners Past & Present

About Emancipation Day

Contest Details

Theme:

Who Can Enter:

Submission Requirements:

How to Submit:

What Happens After You Submit:

Community Partners & Sponsors

The 2025 Antler River Poetry Contest Winning Poems

First Prize: “Water, Aquarium” by Krista Lysack

Second Prize: “There is a woman in my building” by Brian Baker

3rd Prize: “Scattered Sense” by Matthew Rooney

We now have our three poetry contest winners!

Antler River Poetry Presents Nathanael Jones & Zoe Whittall. With performance by CMJustice

Wednesday April 23, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Central Library, Lawson Room

Contest and April Reading Update

Psst… London, ON poets! The deadline for our 2025 Open Theme Poetry Contest has been extended to Monday March 24, 2025.

Antler River Poetry is now officially accepting submissions to our 2025 Open Theme Poetry Contest

Antler River Poetry Presents Ashley-Elizabeth Best & Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang

Wednesday March 19th from 7:00pm-8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library in Wortley Village

Antler River Poetry Presents Em Dial & Michelle Doege

Wednesday February 26th, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library at 167 Wortley Road

Antler River Poetry Presents Ellen Chang-Richardson & Ronna Bloom with local opener Shannon Arntfield

Wednesday January 22nd, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Landon Branch Public Library at 167 Wortley Road

Archived “Current Events” Content From Years Past

Past Seasons Page

Questions?

1^st Place: Walls, Voices, Legacy! by Kolapo Abdul

2^nd Place: Dreaming Black Boy by Aqil Melchoir

3^rd Place: Roots and Rising Voices by Ibukun Kolapo