Neil Surkan

November 03rd, 2026

In the titular poem of Neil Surkan’s new collection of lyrical poems, Empties (MQUP $19.95) his playful wording is on display: “And who / isn’t my neighbour / now? We alley / bottles // mouthing / ooooo / when gusts prowl, empties / blown // into / a chorus – wind, / song what – difference / if air // grazes / or emits / from our lips?” The author of two other books of poetry, Unbecoming (MQUP, 2021) and On High (MQUP, 2018) as well as four chapbooks, Surkan is the poet laureate of Nanaimo and a professor in the Department of English at Vancouver Island University. 9780228027317

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