Animated excerpt from "Daring to Hope at the Cliff's Edge"
Animation: Greta Larkins Music: Beverly Glenn-Copeland Original painting: Marion Law "In the arched dome of a blue-black sky,
stars sing in the language of light, a recitative of wonder." Excerpt from "Daring to Hope..." by Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland |
"Daring to Hope at the Cliff's Edge" is published by
Chapel Street Editions in association with Joggins Fossil Institute
Chapel Street Editions in association with Joggins Fossil Institute
Advance Praise
Daring To Hope At The Cliff’s Edge expresses the paradox of contemporary existence in a manner that is also indelibly of today. It confronts hostile political realities, and the increasing fragility of our natural surroundings, yet tempers this with a wonder and optimism grounded in ancient insights. It teems with references, yet trades with glib citationality for compassion, historical depth, warmth, and delicate irreverence. When Glenn-Copeland recited an excerpt of the piece in Toronto, it floated over the steady hum of the Don Valley Parkway and between sparse piano arpeggios. these two accompanists —serendipitous traffic din on one hand, and an instrument that’s both sweetly familiar and laden with history on the other—spoke remarkably to her idiosyncratic vision. Lyrical, bewildering, heartening, and unsettling, this work sees an individual voice reckoning with the overwhelming complexity of our present moment and that which led us here.
— Nick Storring, Composer, Musician and Music Journalist
Daring to Hope at the Cliff ’s Edge ...is ...timeless and timely, ancestral and modern, serious and whimsical. Be prepared for a journey of the moral imagination, an invitation into a council of all beings, and a unique experience that will leave you inspired, moved, and daring to hope.
— Della Duncan, Ecological Economist, Work that Reconnects Facilitator
Such scope! The scene painting and the imaginative flights that take to the skies in those scenes are (along with the stumbles) thoroughly engaging and moving. Wonderful sense of colour. e poems bring in aboriginal and ancient culture and myth, as they observe the various times of year and contemplate mother earth. It all makes for a powerful reading experience.
— Allan Briesmaster, Poet and Publisher
Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the Bay of Fundy is the important geological focus for this engaging poetic meditation on our endangered earth. In Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland’s lyrical treatment myth, Indigenous lore, geological science, song, storytelling, current events, and even pop culture intermingle in an impassioned search for understanding and for hope.
— Glen Sorestad, First Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan
As a cultural geographer specializing in the field of Education for Sustainable Development, I have witnessed the pivotal role the arts play in providing a holistic framework through which we can process our collective fears of the future. In this powerful narrative poem, Elizabeth takes us to the cliff ’s edge of these fears, and using pathos, humour and her unique wit, provides us with a personal model for resilient action.
— Dr. Michael Fox, Professor of Geography & Environment Mount Allison University
Indigenous stories have carried memories across thousands of years, telling of people, places, and events through intricate woven words and spirits. Today, many scholars and communities work to decolonize hearts and minds through stories woven through Indigenous and settler voices, the practice of what a Mi’kmaq Elder calls Two Eyed Seeing. is engaging narrative is a welcome addition to emerging works acknowledging a need for understanding and healing in a colonized world. is poetic story is a must-read for anyone who struggles to activate hope for the future.
— Dr. Paulette Steeves, Associate Professor of History Algoma University
In hearing Elizabeth share an excerpt from her upcoming book, Daring To Hope at The Cliff’s Edge, I felt myself experience a brief but ever so sweet respite from the hopelessness that has weighed on my heart and the hearts of so many of us. Elizabeth’s work shows us that the ultimate tool we possess is our ability to quiet down and listen to what our Eternal Mother is trying to tell us.
—Sophia Katz, Musician, Author and Media Artist
— Nick Storring, Composer, Musician and Music Journalist
Daring to Hope at the Cliff ’s Edge ...is ...timeless and timely, ancestral and modern, serious and whimsical. Be prepared for a journey of the moral imagination, an invitation into a council of all beings, and a unique experience that will leave you inspired, moved, and daring to hope.
— Della Duncan, Ecological Economist, Work that Reconnects Facilitator
Such scope! The scene painting and the imaginative flights that take to the skies in those scenes are (along with the stumbles) thoroughly engaging and moving. Wonderful sense of colour. e poems bring in aboriginal and ancient culture and myth, as they observe the various times of year and contemplate mother earth. It all makes for a powerful reading experience.
— Allan Briesmaster, Poet and Publisher
Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the Bay of Fundy is the important geological focus for this engaging poetic meditation on our endangered earth. In Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland’s lyrical treatment myth, Indigenous lore, geological science, song, storytelling, current events, and even pop culture intermingle in an impassioned search for understanding and for hope.
— Glen Sorestad, First Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan
As a cultural geographer specializing in the field of Education for Sustainable Development, I have witnessed the pivotal role the arts play in providing a holistic framework through which we can process our collective fears of the future. In this powerful narrative poem, Elizabeth takes us to the cliff ’s edge of these fears, and using pathos, humour and her unique wit, provides us with a personal model for resilient action.
— Dr. Michael Fox, Professor of Geography & Environment Mount Allison University
Indigenous stories have carried memories across thousands of years, telling of people, places, and events through intricate woven words and spirits. Today, many scholars and communities work to decolonize hearts and minds through stories woven through Indigenous and settler voices, the practice of what a Mi’kmaq Elder calls Two Eyed Seeing. is engaging narrative is a welcome addition to emerging works acknowledging a need for understanding and healing in a colonized world. is poetic story is a must-read for anyone who struggles to activate hope for the future.
— Dr. Paulette Steeves, Associate Professor of History Algoma University
In hearing Elizabeth share an excerpt from her upcoming book, Daring To Hope at The Cliff’s Edge, I felt myself experience a brief but ever so sweet respite from the hopelessness that has weighed on my heart and the hearts of so many of us. Elizabeth’s work shows us that the ultimate tool we possess is our ability to quiet down and listen to what our Eternal Mother is trying to tell us.
—Sophia Katz, Musician, Author and Media Artist