The Fast Places
In December 2007, Michael Gravel nearly died from an embolism (blood clot) lodged in his pulmonary artery. He spent 16 days in the hospital, including the Christmas holidays. He walked out of the hospital on New Year's Day 2008 a changed man. The Fast Places is a short response to those events. Comprising twelve poems, the chapbook explores mortality, memory, hope, empathy, and the value of witness.
May 2008 · Red Nettle Press
24 pages
ISBN# 978-0-9784959-3-0
StreetRag
StreetRag was a 28-month long writing project authored by Michael Gravel. Launched in December 2005 and concluded in April 2008, the work was an ongoing account of the author’s experiences on the streets of Edmonton. People were the main focus, but recurring subjects included public transit, nighttime city denziens, Edmonton’s always troublesome weather, the grit and humor of urban life, and the beauty of the every day. The writing was fluid and often poetic.
Published online December 2005 to April 2008. View the site here.
Poetry
- Friday's Poem - a weekly poetry mailout sent to a 200+ member mailing list (subscribed). February 2003 to present. One poem per week written and sent.
- 2003: Crossing Place Anthology; 3 poems published.
- 2004: The Stroll of Poets Anthology; 1 poem published.
- 2004: Our Voice Magazine; 1 poem published.
- 2005: Three self-produced chapbooks; many poems published.
- 2006: Blood Ink Literary Journal; 3 poems published.
- 2007: The Edmonton Book of Everything; "Michael Gravel's Top 5 Words That Describe Edmonton"
- 2007: Daily Haiku I: Journal 2007; Several haiku published.
- 2008: Grand Rapids Magazine (lifestyle magazine based in Grand Rapids, Michigan), The Perigee of Asparagus published.
- 2008: The Fast Places chapbook, published by Red Nettle Press (May 2008).
Technical
- October 1999: Authored a section of the Shoe-U training manual for Mark's Work Wearhouse. My contribution involved CSA standards and approval as they relate to safety footwear. Research conducted in factories in Toronto and Montreal. 21 pages of technical writing.
Other
January 2008 to April 2008: Authored several articles for SEE Magazine. Here they are:
- Variety is the Spice of Retail - February 7, 2008
- Late Night Summit Meeting - February 14, 2008
- 50 Buck: Pizza, Martinis and Chai, Oh My! - March 6, 2008
- Confessions of an Open Mic Host - March 13, 2008
- He Ain't That Young Anymore: Bruce Springsteen GM Place, Vancouver - April 3, 2008
- Swimming With Parks - April 3, 2008