Magazines 2026 May - Jun Q + A with Irish Canadian poet Lesley-Anne Evans

Q + A with Irish Canadian poet Lesley-Anne Evans

02 May 2026 By Lesley-Anne Evans

Lesley-Anne Evans on public readings, studying in Belfast, and her upcoming poetry collection.

You do public poetry readings. Why?

It’s energizing and terrifying to step in front of an audience and see faces looking back at you, but I enjoy real-time responses. Sometimes someone will say how a poem moved them – this connection is what I hope for and an aspect of why I write. Poems on a page are a bit less daunting, but putting work into the world is an act of courage, both ways. The emotional weight and vulnerability are always there.

You studied poetry in Belfast. Can you share a highlight?

I got to share my experiences with my dad, who passed away in November 2025, just after I completed my studies. He and I are both Belfast children. My year of studies deepened our bond. Our chats – him reminiscing about his life there, and me sharing my experiences of reconnecting with our Irish family and visiting significant places – drew us closer. He often said, "I don’t know why I ever left." I understand now what he meant.

What’s next for your poetry?

Ronsdale Press is publishing my second collection in 2027. The poems are for every daughter – everyone – who has a complicated relationship with their mother. Seeking more than any mother can give, the poems explore a longing for my mother’s unconditional love, trying to wrestle, reconcile and forgive after my mother’s sudden death.