An excerpt from Fairy by Kirby
What I learned from social media
If there’s one thing Spoken Word, or Slam Poetry, has given us, it’s the current. The now. With cadence and a heartbeat.
Sure, these poets are playing to finger-snapping, en-rapt audiences, aiming to ‘win’… yes, their art could be ‘stand-up,’ or ‘rap’ but…
The word is alive, vibrant, and real.
Poet Britta B dances: “I’m the only black person in this room!” On repeat. At a lit festival in Sudbury. I so wanted to get up, dance with her in joy.
At an award ceremony Britta hosted, she was the warmest being in the room. (Thanks for the shout-out babe, that and coming to my table, loving me).
These things don’t go unnoticed. How do we live without?
We are so bereft of basic kindness.
This imaginary all too real gap between industry and artists. Who gets seen. Awarded.
Like you, I rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
My arms stretch out wide.
To be your mosh pit this night. Lean in. I’m here for it.
People just want an ounce.
CanLit? Stingy Can-fucking-Lit.
A poet I admire says “social media is so embarrassing.”
I can’t disagree.
Another checks their feed in visible duress: “I usually get more likes by now.”
Might as well be Grindr. Plenty-O’-Fish.
“Dick pic?” [exit left].
An early Felice Picano poem, “Slashed to Ribbons in Defense of Love,” vying for likes, a repost.
Something tangible. Like passing a joint… a bump, caress.
Excerpted from Fairy by Kirby © 2026. Used with permission of Palimpsest Press.
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Kirby is the author of She, Poetry is Queer, This Is Where I Get Off, featured columnist at Send My Love to Anyone and publisher at knife | fork | book. Their newest hybrid collection of essays and poetry, Fairy, is out now from Palimpsest Press. They can be found at kirbyfairy.ca
Order a copy of Fairy here on All Lit Up, or via your local bookseller.
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