November 2026 Issue Out Now!

Four years ago, a simple idea took root in Winnipeg: bring poetry, music, humour and companionship to seniors living in retirement residences and care communities.

What began as a modest outreach effort gradually evolved into The Company of Poets, a collective of writers, musicians and storytellers dedicated to creating moments of connection and joy for older adults.

Since its inception, members have presented nearly 140 programs within seniors’ residences across Winnipeg.

The performances are informal, warm and highly interactive. Poetry is often accompanied by music, humour, storytelling and audience participation.

While the poems may differ from one program to the next, the objective remains constant: to celebrate the experiences, memories and dignity of those who built our communities.

Along the way, friendships formed. Residents shared life stories, memories of wartime service, family histories and personal reflections. Many programs became far more than readings. They became conversations.

The project eventually inspired the publication of a new anthology featuring the work of more than a dozen poets, many with strong Manitoba connections. The collection reflects the diverse voices that have contributed to the Company’s programs over the years while preserving many of the themes that resonate with senior audiences: love, loss, humour, resilience, remembrance and hope.

The Company’s founder, Morris Bay and fellow poet James Hargrove have been central figures in the initiative. Together with other contributors, they create a uniquely Manitoba blend of literature and community engagement.

Particularly meaningful have been the poems inspired by Canada’s wartime history, including works reflecting on Flanders Fields, Normandy, Dunkirk and sacrifices made by earlier generations. Such poems often spark memories and conversations among audiences whose lives were shaped by those historic events. The Company has a diverse series of poems and songs dedicated to Louis Riel, another to comedy legend Red Skelton.

The Company of Poets believes poetry should not be confined to libraries, classrooms or literary festivals. Poetry belongs wherever people gather to share stories and affirm life.

Since 2022, Winnipeg seniors have welcomed the Company of Poets into their homes. The new anthology is both a celebration of that journey and an invitation to continue it.

As one might say at the close of a reading, the greatest poem is not always the one on the page. Often its the community gathered together to hear it.

To bring Company of Poets to your home or facility please e-mail Morris Bay – beatnik57@gmail.com