Montrealers came in droves and packed the house for Myles. The American poet, novelist, teacher, and performer has published over twenty books, run for president, and is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, four Lambda Book Awards, and the Clark Prize for excellence in art writing.

After an introduction by D+Q staffer, Benjamin, Myles took to the stage, and dedicated the reading to their parents. Prefacing that they "couldn't resist a bad pun", they then gifted us this gem: "How is a puppy like a radio station? Wee paws for station identification."

Next came a breathless reading from AFTERGLOW. Throughout the half-hour reading, there was hardly a pause. This headlong pace was no accident, as Myles explained afterwards: "I totally love that Virginia Woolf thing: it is the flow, not the words.”

Here are two notable quotes from an exceptional reading:

"We mourn the loss of the letter but dogs mourn the loss of the thought."

"Cursive was a photo of the nerves of the writer. "


Thanks to all of you who came out despite the dreary weather, and thanks especially to Eileen Myles for the wonderful evening.