Stilt Jack

This poignant collection showcases the final works of John Thompson, exploring love and life through powerful soliloquies in Stilt Jack.

The final collection of poems by British-Canadian poet John Thompson, Stilt Jack is a cherished yet often overlooked work that has been reissued in a beautifully crafted edition. This new version includes an insightful introduction by Rob Winger, enhancing the reader's experience of Thompson's profound poetic voice. Originally published in 1978, the collection captures the essence of love and the intricacies of life through a series of powerful soliloquies.

In Stilt Jack, Thompson employs his mastery of metaphor and keen observation of the New Brunswick landscape to transform ordinary experiences into meaningful symbols. His intense and sometimes elliptical style invites readers to engage deeply with the text, making the themes of love and existence resonate on multiple levels. The poems are rooted in the ancient Persian poetic form known as the ghazal, which Thompson discusses in his introduction to the original edition, adding a layer of historical and cultural context to the work.

This collection not only fulfills the promise of Thompson's earlier work, At the Edge of the Chopping There Are No Secrets, but it also stands as a testament to his skill as a poet. Stilt Jack represents the culmination of his craft, offering readers a poignant reflection on the human experience through the eyes of a masterful writer.