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New Books Network

Stedmond Pardy, "Beached Whales" (Mosaic Press, 2024)

Apr 16, 2025
Stedmond Pardy, a boundary-pushing Toronto poet and spoken word artist, discusses his new collection, Beached Whales. He explores themes of alienation and personal significance tied to his work. The conversation highlights the joy of embracing freedom in poetry and the transformative power of performance. Stedmond reflects on the bravery required to share personal narratives and the evolution of poetic tastes. Together with host Hollay Ghadery, they celebrate the importance of accessible literature and community in the literary world.
39:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Stedmond Pardy explores feelings of dislocation in his poetry, drawing parallels between personal experiences and the imagery of beached whales.
  • He emphasizes the importance of performance and community in poetry, encouraging poets to embrace vulnerability and connect with audiences.

Deep dives

Stedman Pardy's Poetic Journey

Stedman Pardy is a self-educated poet with a unique voice, drawing from his mixed ancestry and experiences from Toronto to beyond. His recent work, 'Beeched Whales,' encapsulates themes of feeling out of place and confronting societal expectations, much like the titular beached whales that serve as a recurring image in his poetry. The genesis of this collection resonates with Stedman's childhood memories of seeing whales stranded on the shore, mirroring his own struggles and artistic endeavors. This connection to personal history and societal narratives enriches his poetry, grounding it in relatable emotions and vivid imagery.

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