Quite nice layout, obviously a well funded and dedicated group put it together. In the center is full colour photography. I started reading this one on a bus between Ottawa and Montreal. There’s a lot of experimental student writing and none of it is what could be thought of as conventional poetry. A lot of it’s playful sound and found type poetry. The work is divided into ‘clusters’ rather than sections, and it commences with a featured poet for this edition, whose name is Jason Christie. His first piece is an absurd rhyming poem entitled “FAMILI AR” that was perfect for the bus ride. It felt as if the bus and the poem were following each others’ rhythm. It is a clever piece with different sound devices and rhymes being used throughout. If the poem by Kenneth Goldsmith is true, it is an inventory of his closet, then he must be one very well-dressed man. I found the length and detail of the piece to be very humorous. Included as an added bonus to Existere is Zinea. It is an offshoot project by some of the contributors and editors. This issue has a feminist slant and there are some angry pieces that really work. The cover is pink and overall layout I would classify as cute, at my own peril. These two projects are evidence of an abundance of creativity and hard work going on way up there at York. (Jeffrey Mackie)
magazine, 131 pages, vol. 21 #1, 27 Vanier College, York University, 4700 Keele St. York, M3J 1P3