unbroken

A difficult and emotive read, this new suite of poems by Bob Mackenzie explores themes of loss, betrayal, and grief; they demonstrate the power of photography and memory to both reveal, and hide, devastating truths. Interlinked by image and story, they sketch out how we hope and become hopeless, and the many ways we shatter and stiffen in the fires of living. They cannot be called uplifting, but instead are a grim nod to suffering, agency, and survival.
Deanna MacDonald, Next Chapter Counselling & Psychotherapy

Bob MacKenzie's new book of poetry is a literary film-noir. Apocalyptic and psychological themes throughout as well as echoes of The Godfather and Town Without Pity. A dark and wonderful read that grabs you and leaves you wanting more.
Joseph A. Farina, author of Ghosts of Water Street and The Cancer Chronicles

Poet Profile

Bob MacKenzie has been greatly influenced by growing up in Alberta with artist parents and now finds inspiration for writing during daily walks through woods and along waterfronts in and around Kingston, Ontario. His keen eye for detail shows in his talent for outdoor photography. Bob's ability to draw a wide variety of people into conversation results in astute observations on human nature in his writing, and his love of music from diverse genres allows his poetry to sing and dance its way through our complex world.

Bob MacKenzie=s poetry has been published across North America and as far away as Australia, Greece, India, and Italy in publications that include The Literary Review of Canada, The Dalhousie review, Windsor Review, and The Criterion. He=s published eighteen volumes of poetry and prose-fiction and his work's appeared in numerous anthologies.

Bob has received a number of awards for his writing including an Ontario Arts Council grant for literature, a Canada Council Grant for performance, and a Fellowship to attend the Summer Literary Seminars in Tbilisi, Georgia.

For eighteen years Bob's poetry has been spoken and sung live with original music by the ensemble Poem de Terre, and the group has released six albums.