Due to overwhelming interest, a second evening has been added for the launch of At the Risk of Listening, the latest collection from former Peterborough poet laureate Ziysah von Bieberstein. The launch will take place at Take Cover Books, located at 59 Hunter Street East in Peterborough’s East City, on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, with both events beginning at 7 p.m.
Ziysah will be joined by Ottawa-based musician and spoken word artist Nathanael Larochette for two evenings blending poetry and music.
The 65-page collection features poetry, addresses, and speeches written and performed during Ziysah’s tenure as Peterborough’s second poet laureate, which concluded in September 2024. Reflecting on their time in the role, Ziysah expressed gratitude for the breadth of community engagement the position enabled.
“When I looked back and made a list of all the events I’d done as poet laureate, it was amazing to see how many organizations I’ve worked with and how many places I’ve been,” they said. “As a spoken word performer, it’s all about being present in the moment — so having something I could hold in my hand and share as a lasting representation of that experience is really special.”
Three Sections Reflecting Civic and Cultural Engagement
Divided into three sections, At the Risk of Listening includes contextual notes detailing when, where, and why each piece was performed. The first section, “For My City,” compiles formal addresses to city council. “For My People” responds to the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel — a subject that, as a Jewish person, Ziysah found deeply personal. The final section, “For My Community,” features work written for local events and gatherings.
“Some pieces will be familiar to people, while others will be entirely new,” Ziysah said. “There’s quite a lot of variety.”
The collection’s title comes from the final poem Ziysah presented to city council. That poem, also titled At the Risk of Listening, calls for empathy, courage, and vulnerability from municipal leaders.
“It was really my plea to city council to try to move beyond their comfort zone and really hear the many people expressing the needs and hardships of this community,” they said.
A Role Rooted in Creativity and Civic Presence
Ziysah described speaking before council and other dignitaries as a key element of their laureateship. One memorable moment involved performing a script for Family Literacy Day alongside the mayor, MP, MPP, and local First Nations leaders, as well as the fire and police chiefs.
“That’s what excites people about the poet laureate role,” Ziysah explained. “It brings a creative lens to civic life, focusing on people’s emotions and lived experiences.”
Although city council reversed an earlier decision to defund the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) — the organization that administers the poet laureate program — funding for the role remains paused for 2025. Ziysah expressed hope that the role will continue and grow.
“It’s a beautiful and important role,” they said. “In the future, I’d like to see a poet laureate who is even more integrated into official city functions.”
A Collaborative and Immersive Launch Experience
The launch events will feature not only poetry readings but also live musical performances by Larochette, an award-winning arts educator and composer. The combination of poetry and music promises a dynamic atmosphere.
“I love this work, and I know how music can deepen the impact of a poetry event,” Larochette said. “It’s a different energy than a music show, so you need to be attuned to that as a performer.”
Ziysah noted that both nights will feature unique sets, with different selections and formats each evening.
“Usually at a book launch, you hear a few excerpts and then mingle,” they said. “This will be a full show.”
The book also includes original artwork by Peterborough-based multidisciplinary artist Bruno Merz, known for his work with Showmakers, a children’s musical theatre program. Ziysah praised Merz’s contributions, saying the visuals provide moments of reflection between the written works.
“His art adds breath and spaciousness to the book,” they said. “It makes the collection feel more alive.”
As At the Risk of Listening launches during Pride Month, a theme that resonated throughout their term, Ziysah sees the celebration as more than just a literary event — it’s a communal, creative expression of identity, resilience, and dialogue.
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