Kelly Parsons was a Buddhist poet in Victoria where she had poetry published in several journals and anthologies. Her studies at UVic focused on Medieval manuscripts and spirituality. Her publisher has described the poems in I Will Ask for Birds as ones which "have been polished over time like smooth river stones." Born in Victoria on May 8, 1958, she died at Victoria Hospice on December 24, 2008. She was survived by her son and daughter-in law, John and Alana Turner, and her grandchildren, Nicholas and Maya; her father Harvey Parsons and stepmother Jayne; her brother Darin; Uncle John Hammargren; and numerous other family members and friends. Her poetry was included by editor Rona Murray in An Anthology of Six New Female Poets (Sono Nis) along with poetry by Barbara Colebrook Peace, Dorothy Field, Alisa Gordaneer, Suzanne Steele and Susan Stenson.

BOOKS:

I Will Ask for Birds (Sono Nis, 2008) $14.95 978-1-55039-165-7

PHOTO by Patty Loveridge

[BCBW 2009] "Poetry"