Richard Harrison is an internationally published author of six books of poetry, including Worthy of His Fall – his most recent, and Big Breath of a Wish – poems about his infant daughter learning to speak, which was nominated for the 1999 Governor General’s Award. His collection of hockey poems, Hero of the Play (Wolsak & Wynn), was the first book of poetry ever launched at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It was re-released as a 10th Anniversary Edition alongside a Poets-vs.-Prose-Writers street hockey game outside Kensington Pub in 2004. Richard has appeared on CBC radio and television, and was one of the featured commentators in CBC’s Hockey: A People’s History. Richard has given readings and recitations of his poetry at literary events and festivals across the country, including Calgary’s WordFest, as well as at numerous universities, schools, and other venues for poetry, both usual and unexpected – like the Saddledome – in Canada and the United States. He teaches English and Creative Writing at Calgary’s Mount Royal College. This is his first appearance at the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival.