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[personal profile] vaneramos





The Bruce Trail in Hockley Valley, October 2004


How it aches to be human, bridled with reason! Every choice must be weighed, knowledge against the drives of animal emotions. Intelligence is our greatest gift, and yet in doubting instinct altogether we become lost, incapable of action.

Along the pilgrimage we encounter many junctions. Every path, whether rough or easy, beautiful or terrifying, is a journey, a great and continual lesson.

In selecting poems for An Elegant Path, I went far back as possible. The oldest, "I swim beneath stars", was written during the bleak summer of 1995, before my marriage came apart. I peered into the distance, trying to hold onto her who was slipping away. The rest were written after the plunge: acceptance of my true sexuality. "Joining", "Pumpkin me", "Dreamer" and "Bear serenade" represent coming out, and a period of exploration from 1996 to 2000.

Since meeting Danny in 2003 I have been happier than ever. Poems for him are scattered throughout the chapbook. Several new ones were written for it. "Departing the trail" celebrates my current sense of wonder and tenderness.

Now I consider what it means for me to be polyamorous. "The gathering" looks forward to what will become, and what will be written.


And now...

An Elegant Path



A selection of 18 poems written between 1995 and 2006. Desktop published in booklet form, staple bound, covered in lightly textured "Birch" paper with a colour photo. This is a limited edition printing, each copy individually numbered and signed by the author.

Available for a suggested donation of $9.99 plus postage, total $10.50 to Canadian customers or $9.44 USD to the US. Other destinations can be accommodated. Payment via PayPal recommended. You can pay from your PayPal account or any chequing account. Credit card payment not available. Cheques by mail are okay. Will arrange personal delivery for cash in Guelph or the GTA.

To order, reply to this post with the following information (all replies screened to protect personal info):
  • your email address
  • mailing address
  • number of copies (be aware additional copies will cost more than minimum postage)
  • specify amount you wish to pay if different from the suggested donation (postage will be added)
  • If you don't want to use PayPal, please specify your preference
If you choose PayPal, I will respond with a request for payment in the appropriate currency. If you wish to send a cheque, I'll give you my mailing address.

Update: I've been receiving requests to pay by credit card through PayPal. This will require me to upgrade to a premium account, but it looks like the best way to save a lot of hassle. It means an additional handling charge of $0.85 on all PayPal orders. This will not apply to orders that have already been processed.
(deleted comment)

Date: 2006-02-15 01:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
No problem! I'll save you a copy. I'm planning to visit Toronto around Feb. 24 to 27.

Date: 2006-02-15 03:07 am (UTC)
ext_238564: (Default)
From: [identity profile] songdogmi.livejournal.com
Congratulations on the chapbook! I will gladly order one through PayPal, even with the exa fee, though possibly not till Friday (payday, you see).

I love that photo. I want to be there.

Date: 2006-02-15 03:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
Okay, just leave your email and mailing addresses in a comment here where you're ready.

If you ever come up this way we'll have to hike that part of the Bruce Trail.

Date: 2006-02-15 04:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wonderboynj.livejournal.com
I definitely want one, let me know the amount for postage and I'll drop a check in the mail for you.

Date: 2006-02-15 05:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
Postage to the US is $0.89 Cdn or $0.77 USD. Thanks!

Date: 2006-02-15 05:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missprune.livejournal.com










Hi Van, can you handle a check drawn on an American bank? Let me know here or at my email, which you have. Congratulations, it's very exciting, isn't it!?







Date: 2006-02-15 10:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
Yes, a cheque in American funds is no problem. The bank machine will even make the conversion! Just make the cheque out for $8.64 USD (or whatever you wish to donate) plus $0.91 for postage (it's a little higher than I thought, the chapbook weighs just over 30 grams).

Date: 2006-02-15 06:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dakoopst.livejournal.com
You know I want one. :)

I'll be sending you an e-mail in the next couple days...

Date: 2006-02-15 10:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
Okay, thanks!

Date: 2006-02-15 03:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] token-otter.livejournal.com
I would definitely like to grab a copy the next time you're up this way.

Date: 2006-02-15 10:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
I'll bring some copies the last weekend of February.

Congratulations Van!

Date: 2006-02-15 06:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] djjo.livejournal.com
You've put a lot of hard work into this, and it looks amazing.

PS. Thank you for reading a couple of them to me last weekend. You make me a mushy cub!

Re: Congratulations Van!

Date: 2006-02-15 10:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
You're welcome. You're an inspiration, my love.
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