Shelley Ringland has made the 2022 CBC Poetry Prize longlist for The Long Goodbye — a triptych.

The shortlist will be announced on Nov. 17 and the winner will be announced on Nov. 24.

If you're interested in the CBC Literary Prizes, the CBC Nonfiction Prize opens in January and the CBC Poetry Prize opens in April.

"Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in the Prairies and northern Manitoba. Much of my growing up in the Prairies has influenced my writing. I crave to find the extraordinary within an ordinary life. I have been writing since I was young and I still have a collection of poetry from as far back as Grade 4. I was encouraged early on by a variety of teachers to use the English language as a conduit for expression. I have always loved words, and am in awe of how others use language as a powerful tool. I have always tried to use my writing to take a stand, contribute to change, drawn attention to social issues in our world."

"Love, loss and letting go."

"My poetry triptych was inspired by my experience accompanying my mother on her journey through dementia. And hopefully will touch others who traveled with loved ones on that difficult road."

My mother
Is in a prison
With no bars,
She rattles her chains
While gripping the arms
Of her wheelchair
With arthritic white knuckles,
She stares out
From behind the glass
Reflected in her eyes,
I see her,
I tell her
I see you
Mom,
Somewhere in
that
Closed
Locked
Dark
Maze
I hope
She sees me too

The winner of the 2022 CBC Poetry Prize will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have their work published on CBC Books and attend a two-week writing residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity. Four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books.

The 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize will open in January. The 2023 CBC Poetry Prize will open in April.