Why I Was Late

Why I Was Latefuses text with performance, brings a transmasculine wisdom, humour, and experience to bear upon tailgates, spaceships, and wrestling rings. Fierce, tender, convention re-inventing--Petch works hard. And whether it's as a film union lighting technician, a hospital bed allocator, a Toronto hot dog vendor, or a performer/player of the musical saw, the work is survival. Heroes are found in unexpected places, elevated by both large and small gestures of kindness, accountability and acceptance. No subject--grief, disability, kink, sexuality, gender politics, violence--is off limits.

A poet so good at drag they had everyone convinced that they were a woman for the first forty years of their life, Petch has somehow brought the stage and its attendant thrills into the book. Better late than. And better. (From Brick Books)

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Charlie Petch is a musician, spoken word artist and playwright based in Toronto. Hewas the 2017 poet of honour for Spoken Word Canada and the founder of Hot Damn It's a Queer Slam. Petch's poemHey You Lucy Liuwaslonglisted for the 2021 CBC Poetry Prize.Why I Was Latewon a 2022 ReLit Award in the poetry category.