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Local poet launching first book Friday

Local poet Neil Lemke will launch his first book of poetry from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Rhodos Coffee in Courtenay
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Local poet Neil Lemke will launch his first book of poetry at Rhodos Coffee in Courtenay Friday.

On Friday, Sept. 13 2013, local poet Neil Lemke will be launching his first book of poetry at Rhodos Coffee in Courtenay (364 8th Street, Unit 103).

It will be an evening event and will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Finger food will be provided by Rhodos as well as a pay-as-you-order coffee bar. Neil and his wife, Carrie, will be reading from his poetry and copies of the book will be available for purchase afterwards. The cost will be one copy - $20, two copies - $30.

Neil was born in Australia and moved to Canada with his family when he was 12 years old. He loves nature, brown trout, Jack Russell Terriers, the night sky and the love of God.

Neil's book, The Fields of Life: a poet's journey, brings together selections from 26 years of writing. His publisher, Natalie Fuhr-Salvatore (Elation Press) describes the writer's work with these words: "The Fields of Life: a poet's journey stirs and inspires; it is a full-bodied work that engages the mind and spirit. Powerful images from inspirations such as nature, astronomy, classical music, day-to-day life, Greek mythology and Christianity are woven deftly throughout the poet's work; his gift of creating pictures with words is something to revel in. This collection captures the poet's experience with a creative, lyrical lens."

Black Creek resident Steven Falk (Founder and President of Switchback Systems Corp.) endorses Neil's book with the following words: "Lemke has an amazing way of describing stars, galaxies, angels, or the common fly, and then without notice applying the whole thing to our souls. This is some great writing. I highly recommend The Fields of Life to anyone, even to non-poetry readers like me."

The Lemkes have lived in the Comox Valley for 13 years, along with their Jack Russell Terrier, Jesse, and Carrie is a well-known voice teacher in the area.

— Neil Lemke