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Crows Jean-Jacques Fournier Poetry Ravens Season 2

Season 2 Episode 32: Jean-Jacques Fournier The Poetry of Crows & Ravens

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia

Thank you for listening in.

Jean-Jacques Fournier

I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend and poet; Jean-Jacques Fournier is with me today to speak about crows, and ravens within his poetry.

As background, ravens and crows are embedded within our mythologies from ancient times. In Greek mythology the crow was a symbol of Apollo in his role as god of prophecy. In Norse mythology, Odin is portrayed by a raven.  In Celtic mythology, Morrighan, the warrior goddess appears in the form of a crow or raven. Crows and ravens have been envisioned as a mediator animal between life and death.  They have been known as tricksters and mischief makers.  

Jean-Jacques has great insight into these magnificent creatures.

Julianna Wagar on the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and The Lyon in Mourning Project – Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

S5 E12: Julianna Wagar on the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and the Lyon in Mourning Project Sing me a song of a lad that is gone, Say, could that lad be I? Merry of soul he sailed on a day Over the sea to Skye.   Billow and breeze, islands and seas, Mountains of rain and sun, All that was good, all that was fair, All that was me is gone. Sing me a Song of a Lad that is Gone By Robert Louis Stevenson Vocals and music by Julianna WagerWelcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you. The 1745 Jacobite rebellion has been romanticized in literature and media.  However, this was a difficult and complex period.  The stories of those who lived during this time have been captured in “The Lyon in Mourning” manuscript, which was compiled by Rev Robert Forbes.  The tragic Battle of Culloden shattered the hopes of restoring the Stuarts to the throne.  The communities and social structure of the Scottish Highlands were changed forever.   Dr. Leith Davis, Professor of English at Simon Fraser University and Director of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Scottish Studies, is currently investigating and creating a Digital Humanities project on “The Lyon in Mourning”.   This project is a collaboration with the National Library of Scotland and SFU’s Digital Humanities Innovation Lab.  Today, I am joined by Julianna Wagar, Dr. Davis’s research assistant, to share her thoughts on the Lyon in Mourning project. Julianna recently completed her BA at Simon Fraser University in English, Gender, and Women’s Studies. She is currently working towards her MA in English at SFU. Her research interests include eighteenth-century Scottish literature, women’s literature, and Scottish women’s travel writing. I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting dialogue on Tea Toast & Trivia. I invite you to meet up with Julianna and Dr. Leith Davis at the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University. The Centre, located at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby campus, provides a focal point for faculty, students, and all who are interested in exploring Scottish history and culture and the connections between Scotland and Canada in the contemporary global landscape.  It is a place where the past reaches out to our time and reminds us to live boldly, with courage and hope. Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you. Music by Trabant 33 "Dreams of the Brave" Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/zhMobBG9tX/
  1. Julianna Wagar on the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and The Lyon in Mourning Project
  2. Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene on Dead of Winter and Creating Epic Stories
  3. Brian on Transitions
  4. Macbeth’s Witches Chant with Shehanne Moore and Catherine Cavendish
  5. Rachel McAlpine A Poet’s Voice on Aging

So put the kettle on and add to this exciting discussion, on Tea Toast & Trivia.

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

14 replies on “Season 2 Episode 32: Jean-Jacques Fournier The Poetry of Crows & Ravens”

A very dear friend you are, and lest we forget ‘The Hostess With The Mostess’ to say the least, for having conceived and hosting this, your marvelous Tea Toast & Trivia. Thus so and of course all the more for inviting me to spend a most enjoyable time on the subject of poetry and our mutual penchant for those magnificent Ravens and Crows. I’ve just finished listening to us again, and “absolutely” concur with the recent mention of you being “the very talented host of TT&T. What a treat to have been given the pleasure of being your guest, in such a relaxed and easygoing style of conversation. Thankful I am indeed, Lady Budd, for having invited me…! Et à bientôt, chère Rebecca.

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Thank you so much for graciously accepting my invitation to tea. Our conversations awaken me to the breadth and depth of poetry – how words give voice to humanity’s longing for understanding and acceptance. Embracing the amazing creatures that share our world is essential. Your poetry allows us to see the world from the high vantage point of crows and ravens in flight. And in so doing, we recognize kindred spirits and fellow travelers. Sending many many thanks for sharing your poetry.

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I enjoyed the conversation about crows and of course Jean-Jacques’ reading of his poem. Are you familiar with the Australian blog, Reflections of an Untidy Mind? For the past several weeks, this blog has featured a Corvid challenge. I was wondering if Jean-Jacque’s comments about the young woman with the crow who said “Hello” were about a video that was featured. What I learned about Corvid behavior and intelligence was just fascinating!

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Me too! His voice is excellent for reading/reciting. So is yours.
I wonder if there is a poem that would suit your voices together…. like Sonny and Cher … sorta, but poetry…. Rebecca and Jean-Jacques?

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