Eugene Stickland grew up in Regina where he eventually worked on an M.A. in English at the University of Regina, which was interrupted when he went to Toronto to complete an M.F.A. in Playwriting at York University. Eugene wrote plays in Toronto for a number of years for the Act IV Theatre Company before moving to Calgary in 1994. While in Calgary, Eugene enjoyed a 10-year stint as Alberta Theatre Projects’ playwright-in-residence, writing 6 plays for the company, along with others for other theatres across Canada. On leaving A.T.P., Eugene became a feature columnist for the Calgary Herald for 5 years. His plays have been produced around the world in many different languages. He is currently working on several new projects, including a poetic novel, which he has read from at various Spoken Word events around town. Eugene was recently appointed playwright-in-residence at Calgary’s St. Mary’s University College. 

Bring Back the Moon

Bring back the moon
The one that shone on the lovers
And the horse in the field
And the rain-soaked streets
Of Paris. Bring it back
And hang it low and harvestly
Orange as a pumpkin
Lengthening night shadows
Along the properties of the dead
And I will dwell in that ghostly light
And hide in the shadows out of the sight
Of prying eyes and inquiring minds
Of insidious design
And under the moon
I will make a quietus
If only you will bring the moon back
Again.