In this deeply inspiring and generous episode of The Poet Laureate Podcast, host Kyeren Regehr sits down with poet, memoirist, teacher, and the inaugural Poet Laureate of Victoria, BC, Carla Funk, The conversation moves through poetry, the daily work of a creative life, and remaining awake to the world. Together they explore Carla’s practice of “hunting beauty in common places,” the role of wonder and listening in her writing life, and the ways memory, inheritance, humour, and hope move through her work.
Carla speaks about reopening the "storage locker" of memory with compassion, and the evolution of her poetic voice and craft across five collections—from Blessing the Bones into Light to Gloryland. Carla also reflects on teaching and mentorship, the generous and invitational writing that emerged with public poetry, and how attention itself can become a form of resistance to despair. Included are three poems from Carla's stunning body of work, beginning with "I Want to Say a Thing Important and Alive."
Carla Funk grew up in Vanderhoof, in the central interior of British Columbia, one of the province’s earliest Mennonite settlements. She is the author of five books of poetry, including The Sewing Room, Apologetic, and Gloryland, as well as the memoirs Every Little Scrap and Wonder: A Small-Town Childhood and Mennonite Valley Girl: A Wayward Coming of Age. Her work explores memory, faith, rural life, family, beauty, and the sacred within ordinary experience. Carla served as Victoria’s inaugural Poet Laureate from 2006–2008 and taught for many years in the Department of Writing at the University of Victoria. A recipient of the Malahat Review’s Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize, her poems and essays have appeared widely in anthologies, literary journals, public poetry projects including Poetry in Transit, and permanent public art installations such as the bronze poetry tree in downtown Victoria.
With thanks to the Department of Writing at the University of Victoria and Russell Books for their generous support of this episode.
Episode links:
UVic Writing — Writing - University of Victoria
Russell Books — Russell Books – Used Books Victoria & Beyond
Carla Funk — "Mennonite Valley Girl" Available September 14, 2021 | Carla Funk | Writer, Reader, Glutton for Joy
Haus of Owl Creation Lab — Haus of Owl
We acknowledge with gratitude that this work was created on the unceded homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.
The Poet Laureate Podcast is recorded in studio at Haus of Owl: Creation Labs—supporting artists to create the best work of their careers. Original music by Chris Regehr. To learn more or reach out, visit www.thepoetlaureatepodcast.com or find us on Instagram @poetlaureatepodcast & poetlaureatepdcast@bsky.social.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. / Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien.
This podcast is The Canada Council for the Arts mandate is to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Through its grants, services, prizes, initiatives, and payments, the Canada Council supports a dynamic and diverse arts and literary scene. These activities generate a meaningful cultural, social and economic impact for over 2,000 communities in all parts of the country and beyond. The investments and leadership of the Council help advance public engagement in the arts from coast to coast to coast while also contributing to the international recognition of artists and arts organizations from Canada.
