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The long-awaited debut collection of autobiographical poetry by the celebrated playwright behind The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time. It's a lonely, troubled journey
from the cradle to the grave --
tread softly --
too many wait with bated breath
to snuff the tiny flame
that lights your way ... So writes Walter Borden in
Africadian Mi'kmaq Songs in the Key of The Universal Anthem, the first-ever collection of the acclaimed playwright's autobiographical poems.
As in his lauded play,
The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time, Borden reflects on the journey of his life and examines his experiences as a Black gay man facing the challenges of racism and homophobia, while also exploring the intersections of his African, Nova Scotian, and Mi?kmaw heritages. His poetry weaves English, Mi'kmaq, and Kiswahili into a powerful tapestry that unites his disparate and complex identities.
An exploration of Borden's creative power,
Africadian Mi'kmaq Songs in the Key of The Universal Anthem lays bare the resiliency of the author's tender spirit.
About the author
Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia,
Walter Borden, CM ONS, is an acclaimed and revered actor, activist, poet, teacher, and mentor. As a stage actor, he has left his signature imprint in all the major theatres in every province in the country, including five seasons at Stratford Festival. His artistry has earned him a Merritt Award, a META Award and a Dora nomination for Best Performance by an Actor, as well as a Quebec Cinema nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Gerontophilia.
Walter Borden is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Order of Nova Scotia, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals, the prestigious Portia White Prize, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Achievement Award, the Leslie Yeo Prize for Volunteerism, and two honourary doctorates. He is an inductee into the Dr. William P. Oliver Wall of Honour Society at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, and he is the author of
The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time.
