Dancing in the Dark
Poems and Stories
An eclectic collection of poetry and fiction, Dancing in the Dark tackles themes of music, culture, philosophy, love, literature, and beauty. In a series of pieces that are deeply personal though not autobiographical, Donnell evokes both high and low culture, in one moment recognizing the impossibility of desire, but acknowledging his work’s connection to “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen, in another. He evokes music and the objects of everyday life with clarity and grace.
David Donnell’s books of poetry include Settlements, winner of the Governor General’s Award, China Blues, winner of the City of Toronto Book Award, Dancing in the Dark, and, most recently, Sometimes a Great Notion. His poetry has been widely anthologized in Canada and the U.S. He teaches and lives in Toronto.