We’re all aging. Let’s talk about it.
Poetry Anthology
Celebrating the creativity of older adults through poetry.
About the Anthology
The Growing Older, Living Deeply (GOLD) Poetry Project began in response to two interconnected gaps: older adults are underrepresented in the arts, and aging is often understood in narrow ways. These gaps limit opportunities for creative expression for older adults and make it harder to have honest conversations about what it really means to grow older.
GOLD was created to address this by centering the voices of older adults through poetry. Between June 2025 and February 2026, we invited adults aged 55 years and older across Canada to submit original poems about their experiences of aging. Our goals were to amplify older adults’ voices, challenge ageist assumptions, and create space for open conversations about aging, including its joys, losses, strengths, vulnerabilities, and social realities.
Over the year, we released four national calls for poems, each focused on a different dimension of the aging experience: Self & Identity; Place & Belonging; Time, Memory & Legacy; and Power & Resistance. All poems were de-identified before review, and a judging panel of older adult poets selected the top ten poems from each theme, resulting in a final digital anthology of 40 poems.
The Four Calls
Poems that explore who we become as we age, including the evolving self, changing roles, how others perceive us, and finding new meaning or purpose.
Poems that explore how aging connects to ideas of home, community, the environment, and belonging.
Poems that explore how time shapes us as we age: what we remember, what we forget, and what we leave behind.
Poems that challenge ageism, invisibility, systems of power, and assumptions about older adults.
The Anthology
The GOLD anthology spotlights powerful poems that illuminate the layered and lived realities of growing older.
Read the AnthologyOur Reach
Geographical Distribution
Poems were received from all provinces and two territories.
Age Distribution
Poems were submitted by older adults from 55 to 95 years old.
The Panel
Trevor's first encounter with live poetry readings was when, as a teenager, he heard Brian Patten, Roger McGough and Adrian Henri, the so-called Mersey Poets, performing in his native Liverpool in the late 1960s. Trevor has been hooked ever since. He particularly values the way people share thoughts, feelings and experiences, and reveal their vulnerabilities in the best words they can find. Trevor started to write poetry seriously in his forties, attending workshops with well-established writers, which helped him considerably. In 2017, he published a sequence of poems, ‘belongings’, in memory of his son, Peter, who died aged 25. Trevor's main feeling about aging is to try and stay as active and engaged with other people as possible, whatever increasing hardships one faces.
Max, a retired pipefitter, resumed writing poetry 13 years ago, after an impactful career in the petrochemical industry. He strives to use poetry to express concerns regarding issues dealing with social justice including reconciliation, environmental consequences of our resource and land use, and the need for a global community to deal with these concerns. He is a member of the Edmonton Stroll of Poets (past president), the Parkland Poets, and The Ontario Poetry Society. As well as having his poems contained in magazines and numerous anthologies, he has also published three collections of his poetry: Iguanas of El Ray, Fair Play, and Work of Words. After dealing with hepatitis C, recent heart surgery, and cancer he has acquired a value for living to the utmost every day, as well as maintaining his friendships and remaining in a positive frame of mind. He loves to write at night and go south for the winter.
Shirley has been writing poetry since she was a child, drawn to it by hearing it recited by a blind family friend. Initially, she was attracted to the rhyme and rhythm, later by the power of its brevity. Her poetry collections have won and been shortlisted for prizes but what means more to her is that she has been able to connect with people through her poems. Shirley worked as the staff Literary Artist on the Wards at the University of Alberta Hospital for over 20 years and discovered the healing potential of poetry. Aging came as a surprise for Shirley. Suddenly, she found herself over 70 and didn’t know how it happened. Where did all those years go?
Dorothy has a love for history, reading, and stories that runs in her family. She values poetry as it shows the diversity of the human experience - ten poets could write a poem about the same subject and each poem would be unique. Dorothy has been published in the Stroll of Poets yearly anthologies since 2022, in "The Bowl of Stars" edited by Jade O'Riley, in "Poets Re-Imagine Canada: A Primer for a Land Beyond Acknowledgements" edited by Gary Garrison, and featured in two chapbooks: "Poets for the Ukraine Volume 1" and "KinSpeak: Poems in the Voice of our Non-Human Kin". She also recently self-published her own chapbook featuring 26 of her poems in "A Morsel of Kindness: Poetry from a Courageous Heart". Dorothy recently discovered an unfinished poem about peace that her father wrote in the 1940s while serving in the Royal Canadian Armed Forces during WWII, and she was honored to have completed the poem for him.
The Voices
“Early Morning”
With a MEd, BA Honors degree in Psychology, Diploma in Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy, and many other certificates and life experiences, Carrianne skillfully infuses Indigenous and Western knowledge in the work she does and love as a consultant, artist, art therapist, writer, and a storyteller.
“Grey and Fissured”
Phlip Arima writes poetry and fiction and has had five books published. His work has been adapted to both stage and video and aired on national television. He is a former Artistic Director of the Art Bar Poetry Series and was co-organizer and host of the Basement Reading Series.
“On The Eve Of My 60th Birthday”
Susan J. Atkinson is an award-winning poet and the author of two full length collections, The Marta Poems (2020) and all things small (2024) both published by Silver Bow Publishing. Her most recent publication, Alice In The City, was published by Anstruther Press in Spring 2025.
“Mother's Passing”
Frank Beltrano (he/him) has been a member of the dynamic poetry community of London, Ontario, Canada. Now living in Lévis, Quebec he founded the poetry group, Strong Threads. He is published in Carousel, Geist, Beliveau Review, in Canada, Fledgling Rag, US1 Worksheets, Moonstone Press, and Rattle Magazine in the US.
“My grandmother's poems”
“Protocol”
Rooted in her lived experience as a longtime caregiver and mental health advocate, Viviane Briand’s writing challenges systemic inequities, giving voice to those too often silenced.
“Gather the Stars”
Kat Cameron lives in Edmonton. Her second collection of poetry, Ghosts Still Linger, won the High Plains Book Award for poetry in 2021. "Gather the Stars" was inspired by a line in ghazal II from John Thompson's Stilt Jack.
“overhaul”
Rebecca Clifford has had poetry in national and international journals and e-zines. She lives in rural Ontario, gardens with a backhoe. She is supported in her endeavours by her long-suffering partner and a disdainful cat of questionable parentage (please see photo).
“Spring, Death Valley”
When Jannie and her partner celebrated 50 years of marriage, she worked with a designer to put together a book of all the love poems she’d written to him, titled River, River, Slow Dance. Her poem, "Spring, Death Valley," written in the fourth decade of their lives together, circles back to a poem she wrote in the first decade of their long partnership. This kind of rippling and circling reminds Jannie that if vows are true, they need to be tended.
“forgotten”
As the primary caregiver for her mother before she passed, “Enjay” appreciated the opportunity to be able to get to know her at a depth which was not possible when her mother was a highly energetic, charismatic person. Through her writing and poetry, “Enjay” remembers.
“I refuse”
Adèle began writing poetry after the death of her husband, Normand, in 2014. What started as a way to process her grief became a weekly practice; she has written a poem every Sunday since. Through poetry and writing workshops, she explores how writing helps us discover what we truly know.
“My Friend Died Today”
Lynn Gale (she, her, hers) is a poet and writer living within Treaty Six territory near asinipwat-muskatayo (Stony Plain). She seeks stillness in her life to better hear the messages in the pauses and understand the truth hidden in the past. She has appeared in numerous anthologies. Her poetry collection L’Opacité was published in 2023. She has also written a children’s picture book series about Big J and his cousin Norah.
“Admit One”
Six months ago, Margaret signed up for a writing workshop with the Gananoque Seniors Association. That experience lit a spark in her that led her to entering the GOLD Poetry Contest. "Admit One" was inspired by Margaret's frustration with navigating the Ontario health care system. She has no doubt there will be an after-poem!
“At the height of my depression”
Kiki May Healey is a retired English teacher who mentors young poets and champions student voices. Understanding the world around her has always been her inspiration for poetry. Her first children’s picture book will be out this spring. She enjoys both theater and lively debate at her book club.
“Baggage”
Lesley Hebert has retired but refuses to fade away. Her checkered career ranged from scooping ice cream to teaching English as a second language. Her poetry and award-winning short stories appear online and in print. Her recently-published first book is a travel memoir, The Heart of Japan.
“The Place of Bark in My Soul”
“Contrapuntal”
Linda H.Y. Hegland is an award-winning poetry, lyric essay, and non-fiction published writer who lives and writes on a small farm in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her writing most often reflects the influence of place and one’s complex and many-layered relationship with it. A memoir is to be released 2026.
“Keeping”
Jaik Josephson is a published writer of poetry and stories. He lives outside of Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada. Jaik, a retired mental health counsellor, has been engaged in a writing practice for most of his life. His inspiration comes from unearthing hidden lives and nature. Jaik facilitates a rural writing circle.
“The Slate”
Laurie Koensgen lives and writes in Ottawa, Canada. Recent publishers include Rust and Moth, Literary Review of Canada, Columba Poetry and Squid Literary & Arts. Laurie is a founding member of the Ruby Tuesday Writing Group. Her latest chapbook, this clingstone love, is with Pinhole Poetry Press.
“Spell for Staying Unbroken”
Denise Landry is a disabled writer living in Montreal, Canada. She has several poems and short stories published in various magazines and small press anthologies. Publishers include Sweetycat Press (2022), Written Tales (2023&24), Wicked Shadow Press (2023-26), Pen and Paw International (2024), River City Siren Press (2024), Micromance Magazine (2024-25), Beaches and Trails Publishing (2025), and VerseveZINE Blackout: Alice in Wonderland (2025).
“Small Town Broadway”
“I Do Not Want to Behave”
Life burned such that poetry was Peter’s path to joy. He wanders the planet, returning home to Brockville, Canada with stories to tell. Peter’s writing is disciplined wandering. The practice is a combination of inspiration and dedicated time. From this tumbles ideas that he tries to capture.
“Skin Boats”
“OLD WOMAN TREE”
The GOLD poetry project offered an opportunity to reflect on the experience of aging - not only Cheryl's own, but also that of her mother, whom she cared for until she passed at age 95. Cheryl discovered metaphors for that experience in social history which she studied in university.
“DARK ROOM”
Katherine Matiko lives in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains, where she finds daily inspiration for fiction and poetry. Her work has appeared in print and online anthologies in Canada and the United States. Katherine’s debut novel Eden’s Daughter was published in 2025.
“For Crying Out Loud”
Madeleine is an octogenarian who resists acting as societal attitudes towards old women expect her to. She comes to writing late in life after retiring from teaching in French Immersion programs in Alberta and BC. She hopes to publish a collection before bowing out gracefully.
“Nesting Dolls”
Jennifer Paquette is a prize-winning writer whose creative work has appeared onstage and in numerous publications. She is thrilled that “Nesting Dolls,” a piece written for her daughter’s 40th birthday, is being included in this collection. Look for her poem “shelter” in the soon-to-be-released Canada Is Our Poem anthology.
“Sensuality”
Darlene is an artist, master gardener, writer and yoga teacher living close to Okanagan Lake, its hills and forest. She was inspired to write Sensuality while sitting in her garden reflecting on her favorite mountain. Resembling an ancient goddess that lies in the water pondering time.
“Architectural Disintegration or My Superpower: Predicting Weather Changes”
Lynn Tait is a poet/photographer residing in Sarnia, Ontario. She’ll be turning 70 this year. She is the author of You Break It You Buy It (Guernica Editions 2023). Poems have been published in Prairie Fire, FreeFall, Vallum, CV 2, Literary Review of Canada, and in over 100 North American anthologies. The poem selected was written in a workshop, the theme centered on the body.
“Years in My Mirror”
Greg Turlock enjoys writing short stories, poetry and photography. He believes in stretching the imagination until it splinters apart, picking up the pieces and melding them back together in a completely different fashion. Greg is a NAIT graduate who lives in Parkland County, Alberta, Canada.
“what took me so long”
Fay’s background in the field of Expressive Arts formed a foundation for writing. A turning point came with a recent online poetry course through the University of Toronto, led by acclaimed poet Catherine Graham. Through her expert guidance and gentle suggestions, Fay has a renewed confidence in the magic of poetry.
“To-Do List”
Saskatchewan born Tara Wohlberg is a poet, lyricist and classically trained musician (BMus, Brandon University, MA in Arts Criticism, City University, London, UK). Her work is published by ECSPublishing, Oxford University Press and Cypress Choral Music. Cold Surely Takes the Wood, was published by David Zieroth’s Alfred Gustav Press.
“In his 84th year”
Suzanne Wood considers writing artistic play and "sees" story everywhere she goes. She writes poems that do not rhyme and stories that may or may not be true. Inspiring others to try life narrative writing as complementary medicine, she believes words can be balms to help us heal, cope, and age.
Thank You
We are grateful for the collective effort that made the GOLD Poetry Project possible.
Thank you for sharing your words, your stories, and your honesty. Your work reflects the many ways aging is lived and understood, and this project exists because of you. Whether or not your poem appears in this anthology, your enthusiasm to reflect, create, and contribute is what made this project meaningful.
Thank you for the care, time, and thoughtfulness you brought to reviewing and selecting the poems for this anthology.
Thank you to the organizations, groups, collectives, and individuals who shared our poetry calls, amplified the voices of older adults, and helped this project reach across communities, disciplines, provinces, and territories across Canada.
We are especially grateful to organizations committed to arts, storytelling, justice, aging, and community-building, whose values align with the spirit of the GOLD Poetry Project. Your support affirmed that poetry is not only an art form, but a method of connection, resistance, remembrance, and care.
The League of Canadian Poets
Darthmouth Seniors' Services Centre
Mill Woods Seniors Association
SageWell Association
Entente Education Canada (formerly RTOERO)
New Hope
Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council
Ontario Poetry Society
Healthy Aging CORE BC
Caregivers Nova Scotia
Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH)
Aging Together As Community - Haliburton Highlands
Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA)
Tower Poetry Society
National Institute on Ageing (NIA)
St Albert Library
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)
Aldershot News
Brokenhead Writer's Circle
ElderActive
Seniors Take Action Coalition of Richmond County
St. Elias Seniors and Elders Society (SESES)
Writers Guild of Alberta
Age Friendly Saskatchewan
Sooke Writers Collective
Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan
Stroll of Poets
Manitoba Possible
Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild
Intergenerational Longevity Centre Canada
Comox Valley Writers Society
Aging Well Nova Scotia
Burnaby Writers Society
Ukrainian-Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island
Sudbury Writers' Guild
NorthWords NWT
Yukon Words Society
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
We are grateful to the GLOCAL Foundation for supporting this work through the CANCONNECT Grant and for believing in the power of connection, storytelling, and community.
