A collection of original poetry by Richard Doiron and Carol Knepper, including love poems, spiritual poems and poems on peace.

The above picture was taken in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, on May 25, 2012. It was taken as Richard Doiron was presented with the World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012. The Award Ceremony was in conjunction with the 2nd World Poetry International Peace Festival, the two-day event bringing poets together from such diverse nations as the Philippines, Japan, Slovakia, India, Afghanistan, New Zealand, the United States and Canada, the latter represented by poets from many ethnic backgrounds, including Canada's First Nations. Entertainment was presented by the Asian Community of the Greater Vancouver area. At the event, Richard delivered a speech on peace, titled Poetry And Peace, a speech now published internationally. That speech is accessed via the following link: Poetry And Peace.

Moncton poet Richard Doiron got special recognition on Wednesday March 7, 2012, at Moncton's Public Library, in a pre-celebration to his upcoming ceremony in Richmond, British Columbia. Richard is the 2012 World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award winner. In this picture, left to right, award-winning poet and photo-journalist, Margaret Patricia Eaton, who presented Richard with a Lifetime Achievement Award certificate, a special letter of Introduction, and a lapel pin, denoting the Award, which Richard will officially receive in Richmond, B.C. on May 25, 2012. The Award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual World Poetry International Peace Celebration. Poets from countries such as Afghanistan, India and the Philippines are slated to participate, among a number of nations.

At the March 7th event, Moncton's Deputy-Mayor, Kathryn Barnes spoke eloquently and with conviction, saying Richard had now made a lasting mark in the world of literature. She also presented Richard with a gift from the City of Moncton. Additionally, Dr. Eldon Hay, renowned human rights activist (and holder of the Order of Canada) spoke of Richard's own life-long involvement in human rights issues, with emphasis on First Nations. Paul Doiron was Master of Ceremonies. The large public room was packed with friends, relatives and fans of literature. After Margaret Eaton had presented Richard his mementos, he took the floor for approximately fifteen minutes, reading peace poems in both English and French, and he also spoke about his fifty years of writing poetry. The audience was most receptive and Richard twice received standing ovations. Hundreds of pictures were taken. Some of those can be seen at the World Poetry site: www.worldpoetry.ca

Richard Doiron has been named recipient of the World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012. The Award is to be presented to him at the World Poetry International Peace Festival, May 25, 26, 2012 in Richmond, British Columbia.

There were forty-five poets nominated for this Award by publishers from various parts of the globe, but Doiron was selected along with Jacqueline Maire, who will receive her Award the following October.

For Doiron, this Award validates his fifty years of writing poetry, during which time he has produced the largest body of poetry in human history, with an estimated 40,000 poems penned (over 1000 of those in 2011). He has published an estimated 1000 poems in his life, his work in print in over 100 paper books and periodicals, along with numerous online publications. He has won several international competitions. His work has been read at the United Nations University for Peace, the World Congress of Poetry & Culture, and he has participated in national and international literary festivals. He has also been heard over World Poetry Café Radio, numerous times (including a one-hour live interview on Oct. 11, 2011), and his work has been showcased with World Poetry for the best part of a decade on a regular basis.

Richard is associate editor of two ongoing publications, one which caters to sonnets, a form he has mastered, penning an unprecedented 5555 of those. He is both an inspiration and a mentor to many aspiring and established poets in various parts of the globe. Richard continues to promote both poetry and the poets of the world! It is his firmly-held belief that it is the responsibility of the artists to promote others artists, and he also is adamant that we are all held accountable to history, ultimately!

Richard Doiron's status as an author got a substantial boost on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, as his friends Art Smith, formerly personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, and Smith's long-time partner, artist Jesus Salgueiro were wed in Washington, D.C. Richard authored the couple's wedding vows (as requested) and many publications, including the Washington Post reported "not a dry eye" at the ceremony, which was attended by 500 people, including many high-ranking politicians, entertainers, media personalities and invited guests from various parts of the globe. Excerpts from the vows made it into the Post and other publications of note.

Smith, also a best-selling author, is now owner and operator of restaurants in both Chicago and Washington, while Salgueiro continues to distinguish himself as a world-class artist (see above painting). The two founded "Common Threads" in 2003, a non-profit organization which helps bridge social boundaries by teaching children about nutrition and physical well-being, as well as fostering an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking. The pair were named Chicagoans of the year in 2006 for their charitable endeavours.

The following link offers extensive coverage of the Smith-Salgueiro wedding, with numerous pictures and includes the vows, as originally written by Richard Doiron and recited at the wedding:

http://candidcandace.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/08/chef-art-smith-jesus-salgueiros-magical-wedding-in-dc-.html

Richard Doiron's poem "Ode To Keats" was recently awarded first place in World Poetry's John Keats Special Celebration contest, conducted in conjunction with the September 18 release of the film Bright Star by TVA Films of London, England. The historical romance is based on the life of the famous English Romantic poet and his relationship with Fanny Browne.

Richard's poem was read in English by Ariadne Sawyer and in Spanish by Alejandro Mujica-Olea on World Poetry Café Radio, CFRO, 102.7 F.M. on September 15. His poem, along with those of the other two prize-winners, was also read in the Vancouver theatre where the film was sneak-previewed on Sept. 16. Winners of the competition received passes to the new film, as well as movie posters.

Spirits In Peace

To purchase Richard's or Carol's poetry and to view samples, click on the thematic links.