Steve Sauvé

The spoken word community mourns his passing

Estrella: "It was one of the only times in his life he felt totally accepted"

When members of the spoken word poetry community here in Ottawa talk about Steve Sauvé’s writing, and his life, the first word that pops up is “genuine.” “When you see some great performers you think, ‘I have to step up my game.’ But when you watched Steve you simply thought, ‘I just have to be more genuine.'” John Akpata is a spoken word poet and long-time friend of Sauvé. “He didn’t make up an alter-ego to perform. He was 100 per cent honest, and that’s why he was so respected.”

Kevin Matthews, another poet, remembers him similarly: “His language was carefully crafted, but purposefully plain; without gimmicks or devices that could create a distance between him and an audience.” He remembers a man whose writing and life were inextricably intertwined.

Danielle Grégoire remembers a poet who always kept foremost in his mind the ideal of connection. “He would even write asides into his work that sounded completely natural, but were carefully planned. It really did feel as if he was talking directly to you.” Over the years, Steve’s persevering talent brought him into the centre of this small, tightly knit community.

“It was one of the only times in his life he felt totally accepted,” says Faye Estrella. “He really felt that the other poets were his family and his home.” She continues: “The first time I had ever gone to a poetry slam, the poets were amazing – Danielle [Grégoire] was there, John [Akpata] was there, but Steve was the one who changed my life.”

As appeared in the Ottawa XPress – Feb 05, 2009
http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/stage/stage.aspx?iIDArticle=16574