Marie Metaphor Specht Encore: Poetry, Transformation, and the Art That Builds Community

In this powerful episode of Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio and YouTube, Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram engages multidisciplinary artist, poet, and educator Marie Metaphor Specht in a quintessential poetry podcast conversation exploring her creative journey, literary expression, and community-centered artistic practice. Living with her partner and son on the unceded territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən‑ and SENĆOTEN‑speaking peoples, Marie’s work is deeply informed by place, collaboration, and the transformative potential of art.A longtime member of the Canadian spoken word scene, Marie has collaborated with filmmakers, lighting engineers, dancers, and musicians to create immersive, interactive works that expand the boundaries of poetic performance. She is currently serving a two-year term as the 6th Poet Laureate of Victoria, British Columbia, where she continues to champion poetry’s ability to build connection, foster dialogue, and illuminate lived experience. Her work has been featured at festivals, arts events, and poetry slams across Canada, and she has spent two decades coaching youth poets and creating spaces for emerging voices.Marie’s poetry has appeared in Oratorealis, Untethered Magazine, Chestnut Review, The Hellebore, Room Magazine, and other publications. Her debut poetry collection, Soft Shelters, published with Write Bloody North, showcases her lyrical depth, emotional resonance, and commitment to crafting work that invites reflection, vulnerability, and communal care. This conversation explores Marie’s evolution as an artist, her interdisciplinary collaborations, and her belief in poetry as a transformative force.Website: https://www.mariemetaphor.com/ Book: https://writebloodynorth.ca/products/soft-shelters-by-marie-specht-pre-sale Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/mariemetaphor/ https://www.facebook.com/marie.muddy.7 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeqYpKmGeHALNHSE0fOj3UyMAg4mDe3vO