"When I first heard that Nancy Bennett was learning to be a witch I wondered what more she needed to learn. Her poems are witchcraft already, full of spells and incantations that turn snows into angels, nasty aunts into broken dolls, and the moon into your mother. Reading the first poems I selected for TransVersions, I recognized a real and brilliant white magic. In these flowing, tumbling images there are thoughts and feelings that cannot be put into words, yet here they are, reaching your mind before you realize they're words. Often the emotions are raw and powerful behind even the most whimsical-seeming of these filigrees, but their magic is still a loving one. I have been happy to be introduced to Nancy Bennett's refreshing talent, and I believe you will be too. Now I welcome you into a place where the angels and demons are crouching just behind that window that waits for your reflection." -- Phyllis Gotlieb, Foreword to Nancy Bennett's chapbook Father was a Demon from the Stars (TransVersions, 1997). Reprinted with permission.
Nancy Bennett is a freelance article writer, poet and short story writer. Her work has been seen in many publications across Canada and the U.S., as well as in the U.K. Nancy's SF/fantasy/horror credits include Terra Incognita, TransVersions, In Darkness Eternal, Zero Gravity Freefall, Focus (U.K.), The Sixth Sense and Nasty Piece of Work (U.K). A Canadian history researcher as well as a practising pagan, she enjoys weaving myths and facts together and often can be found pondering the "what ifs? "of the scientific world. Nancy's first chapbook, Father was a Demon from the Stars, is available for $2.95 from 1458 Bay Street, Victoria BC V8R 2B1. A second collection, A Rare and Warm Entre' (vampire poetry) will soon be published by Shadowfire press.
" A more intriguing use of the vampire theme -- as well as a curious twist, in a sense, on Coleridge's Ancient Mariner -- is Nancy Bennett's " Women on Board." The experience leaves the character empowered and ready to cope with a future at sea. This is genuine fantasy horror." (Steve Sneyd, "Slices from Albion", Scavengers Newsletter )
"With (Nancy Bennett's) work there is powerful arcana involved. Much like reading a spell, I almost feared stopping before completion." (G. Warlock Vance).
"(Father Was A Demon From the Stars) contains 32 poems with a forward by Phylis Gotlieb. There are 26 poems divided into four sections: Elements of Air; Fire; Water; Earth. Each section is preceded by Bennett's thoughts on each poem. The poems contain elements of Sc-fi, horror and fantasy in Bennett's unique style. Bennett's earth is neither an isolated nor a static place. It is affected by visions of sky, moon and stars & visitors from other worlds. In "Exchange" she speculates on how many times otherworldy Visitors have been here and what Visitor remains mankind has hidden. "In the strip mine, we stand back from the alien burial pit where we/discarded their silver relations/left them to rot and be forgotten... " She examines what the visitors leave behind: ...."Skeletal remains of the first experiment/Cro-magnon skulls crushed by alien inquisitors, prehistoric/artifacts of contact one..." and she wonders how many more both sides have hidden.
She tells you if you know where to look, you'll find that ancient & mystical ideas flow freely through everyday events. In "Serpentime" she focuses on the caduceus & recalls the ancient healers: "The twin serpents, eager to please wrap themselves around/the glimmering staff, pledging their knowledge/to modern wizards and shamans."
If you're familiar with Nancy Bennett's poetry, you know it's filled with darkness and light, cruelty and hope, despair and humour. In " Which Way is Earth?" she warns, "watch for the travellers with roadmaps of the soul stars and/ don't ever talk to strangers in spaceships."
These are poems meant to be read again and again. You'll gain more insight with each reading. Check out this chapbook, it's worth the time."
-- Nancy Purnell, The Catbird Seat, Spring 1998.