Africadian Mi'kmaq Songs in the Key of The Universal Anthem

The long-awaited debut collection of autobiographical poetry by the celebrated playwright behind The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time.

It's a lonely, troubled journey
from the cradle to the grave —
tread softly —
too many wait with bated breath
to snuff the tiny flame
that lights your way …

So writes Walter Borden in Africadian Mi'kmaq Songs in the Key of The Universal Anthem, the first-ever collection of the acclaimed playwright's autobiographical poems.

As in his lauded play, The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time, Borden reflects on the journey of his life and examines his experiences as a Black gay man facing the challenges of racism and homophobia, while also exploring the intersections of his African, Nova Scotian, and Mi?kmaw heritages. His poetry weaves English, Mi'kmaq, and Kiswahili into a powerful tapestry that unites his disparate and complex identities.

An exploration of Borden's creative power, Africadian Mi'kmaq Songs in the Key of The Universal Anthem lays bare the resiliency of the author's tender spirit.