Jovan Stefanov Knihy

The Marshwood Songs showcases a unique verse reflective of the Windsor/Essex landscape, aiming to create a constellation of images and rhythms rooted in locality. It explores themes ranging from environmental to anthropological to automotive, celebrating the natural environment of Southwestern Ontario's original wetland landscape. The title also highlights the landscape's inherent liminality, both in borderland and topography. The poems serve as a record of local duality, navigating between rusticity and urbanity, capturing the intertwined history and immediacy of the Windsor/Essex environment. This collection features the perspectives of two young poets, each contributing their distinct cultural histories. Nick Hildenbrand draws from his familial roots in LaSalle, while Jovan Stefanov, a Macedonian immigrant, weaves elements of his heritage into the work. The poetry is complemented by illustrations from local artists Emily Conlon and Hrista Stefanova, who depict themes of decay and cultural symbolism. The poems delve into natural percussive universality and the significance of matter in a seemingly sign-less world, revealing transient beauty sourced from the local and mundane. Ultimately, the collection seeks to give new language to the poets’ homes, portraying the city and its geography as a living character and transforming Southwestern Ontario’s diverse imagery into a universal tapestry.