Rob Rolfe Poetry
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ROB ROLFE is the author of seven books of poetry, one co-authored book of poetry and songs, and three poetry chapbooks.
His most recent book is "Don't Look Back: Poems, Prose, Songs" (The Ginger Press, 2023).
12/13/2025
ALLENFORD
The river slips quietly beneath the trees. At the edge of the town is a plaque commemorating the 1855 “Allenford Pow-Wow.” History, of a sort, was made in this place. This was all unceded land, before the so-called treaties and painful “surrenders.” The plaque is close to the highway, near the turnoff to Tara, but if you are traveling by car from Owen Sound to Southampton you will probably miss it.
Allenford was known then as Floodwood Crossing. Today, if you could lift all the European names from the map, you would begin to uncover the truth of this land, still harsh, still abundant, though not as before. And you would know that this highway follows the route of an ancient trail across the peninsula, from the winter camp at Chi-wiikwedong to the Sauking village.
- “Saugeen” (Quattro Books, 2011)
11/29/2025
A poem based on Antonine Maillet’s novel, published in The Fiddlehead in 1984.
PÉLAGIE-LA-CHARRETTE
today i walk with my country
crouched in the corner of my arm
and we are not oppressed
we have developed an unusual talent
in the creaking wheels of the cart
hearing the heartbeat of the fields
the slightest shimmer of wind
we’ve taken our fear by the throat
and shaken from it the salt
and the painful centuries of tears
today I walk with my country
locked tight to the heel of my shoe
and we are not oppressed
i lift up my heart dear beausoleil
from the gentle bed of the land
and beyond a fine mist rises above
the hill and the lake of days
and the sky is a ribbon of stars
and a spell has shattered the land
and your freedom is in my dream
- from “The Hawk”
(Quattro Books, 2008)
09/15/2025
I will be joining many talented local authors at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library on October 24-25...
09/11/2025
On this date in 1973, the elected government of Salvador Allende of Chile was overthrown in a CIA-aided militay coup. Among the many who were tortured and executed in the national football stadium was the great poet/songwriter, Victor Jara.
VICTOR JARA
a single red leaf
walked in him
like a burning heart
his soul was a leaf
with many stems
at the heart’s core
his heart was a tree
with red pulp
like a fiery pepper
his soul was a leaf
on a still pond
or a passionate stone
- from “Saugeen”
(Quattro Books, 2011)
(Photo credit: http://FundacionVíctorJara.org)
09/05/2025
This chapbook featurss the fine artwork of Toronto printmaker Jerry Silverberg. It was self-published by Little Mudtown in 2023, but sadly, not before Jerry passed away. (I still have copies available for purchase for $15; please message me if you are interested.)
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