Furniture maker, woodworker and wordsmith, John Terpstra Credit: Jeff Tessier
John Terpstra has been writing and publishing books of poetry and creative non-fiction since 1980. He has won, and been short-listed for, national awards including the CBC Radio Literary Competition and the Governor General’s Award, and has taken home Hamilton Literary Arts Awards no less than eight times.
One of his poems, called Giants, can be found gracing a plaque that stands in Sam Lawrence Park overlooking downtown Hamilton, ON where John lives and made his living as a self-employed furniture maker and woodworker, before recently retiring.
His latest book A Carpentry of Words and Wood (2025), is a memoir of his life as a writer and woodworker.
With a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto, John returned to Hamilton to start his career as a cabinetmaker and woodworker while writing poetry and non-fiction that tends to center on place and that place will most likely to be Hamilton.
Falling into Place by John Terpstra Credit Gaspereau Press, Printers & Publishers
In 2002, John published the poem, Giants, in his first work of prose called Falling into Place, a book about having lived in Hamilton. In fact, the Hamilton Spectator listed Falling into Place as one of the best books of that year because it appealed to folks who love history, geography, geology, poetic language, fine prose and the landscape of the Hammer – as Hamilton is affectionately known.
John gives Small Change listeners a brief overview of what Falling into Place is about and then, reads Giants.
Some People by John Terpstra Credit: Photo provided by John Terpstra
I first heard John’s poetry when he participated in a panel discussion called Community Engagement Through the Gift of Art. John was joined by fellow Hamiltonians, Mohawk musician, author, playwright and artist, Tom Wilson, and pianist, photographer and activist, Jessie Golem.
That evening, John discussed his book of poetry, Some People (2024) – that captures the homeless crisis afflicting Hamilton as well as the individual unhoused folks that have become part of every day life.
I was struck by the poem, Dimitre. I came to know Dimitre because of the construction that constricted much of York Blvd this past summer. To avoid sitting in traffic, I would park at Dundurn Castle and walk into downtown Hamilton and that meant walking very close to Dimitri’s makeshift shelter and copious collection of belongings.
One evening as my daughter and I walked past Dimitri’s “home,” he suddenly came running up to us saying he had something for me. When I put out my hand, Demitri placed a small glass bead in my hand and told me to, “Buy something nice for the girl.” Then, Demitri turned and walked “home” giving us a smile and a wave.
Dimitri gave me this glass bead and told me to, “Buy something nice for the girl.” Credit: Doreen Nicoll
John shares his poem, Demitri and then tells Small Change listeners why he likened Dimitri to Job – from the Old Testament – and why society ends up blaming unhoused folks for their situation.
In his book of poems, Greetings from Head of the Lake (2023), John begins with the words, “Greetings and welcome to Head of the Lake. You’re going to love it here. Trust me.” John goes on to describe the escarpment starting with climbing up the 489 steps that take folks up the Wentworth Staircase from the lower city to the top of the escarpment before recalling the history of those who call Hamilton home.
However, partway through this work, John transitions into what was lost through industrialization; the many essential non-profits and charities that have popped up to help those in need heal; the fact that Hamilton always seems to be on the cusp of greatness only to be shot back down — most recently by sky-rocketing rents and house prices, increased violence and hate crimes. Yet, John invites readers to be part of Hamilton’s healing.
John’s love of Hamilton is so apparent and he vigorously holds out endless hope of not only greatness, but I would say, equity and social justice for the city some derogatorily call the Hammer, the Lunchbox, Steel City and the Ambitious City — names Hamilton, and true Hamiltonians, wear with pride like a badge of honour.
John explains his eternal hopefulness and determination to never to give up on the city that he loves unconditionally.
John’s memoir, A Carpentry of Words and Wood (2025), was published and launched in April. In it he discusses his complex relationship with trees and timber and how he has come to terms with the fact that his carpentry, as wells as his writing, relies on the consumption of trees.
John also delves into the similarities and differences between carpentry and creative writing; what retirement means and looks like for him; and his continuing relationships with trees.
Greetings From Head Of The Lake by John Terpstra Credit: Doreen Nicoll
Hamiltonians know Dave Kuruc, owner of King W. Books and Mixed Media art store in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, as an essential co-founder of Hamilton’s monthly art crawl. Kuruc is the artist who designed the image of the iconic Gore Park Fountain that can be found interspersed throughout Greetings From Head Of The Lake. Kuruc also designed the cover and helped with the interior design for Some People.
Hamilton has always had a thriving arts and culture scene with monthly art crawls; SuperCrawl in September; the Fringe Festival; gritLit; Hamilton Film Festival; Grant Avenue Studios started by Daniel Lanois, Bob Lanois, and Bob Doidge where Johnny Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, U2, Ani DiFranco and Stan Rogers among so many others recorded; as well as independent theatres, cinemas and more independent bookstores than I have space to mention. Hamilton even has a Poet in Place.
Those independent bookstores are foundational supports that form the backbone of this city. I purchased Some People at The Last Supper Books at 148 James St. North and Greetings from Head of the Lake from King W. Books. There’s also The Printed Word Bookshop in Dundas, as well as Epric Books at 226 Locke Street South with a smaller location adjacent to the Playhouse Cinema called The Sequel at 177 Sherman Avenue North, J. H. Gordon Books at 314 King Street East, The City & The City Books at 181 Ottawa St N as well as A Different Drummer Books at 513 Locust Street, Burlington, ON.
John and I talk about the impact of retaliatory tariffs on books and bookstore owners as the US tariff wars continue to escalate.
Ultimately, John speaks to the strong sense of community and resilience that makes Hamilton such a mecca for artists and creatives as well as a source of strength during times of setbacks and disappointments because everyone who loves Hamilton knows that in the immortal words of Mohawk artist and Hamiltonian Tom Wilson, it’s just a matter of time before Hamilton will get to “Shine!” As it gloriously does in John’s writings.
Additional information:
Some People (2024) was printed in an edition of 200 copies and can be purchased at King West Books and Last Supper Books in Hamilton, ON.
Greetings From Head Of The Lake (2023) was printed in an edition of 100, hand sewn, numbered copies by Paradise North Press, Hamilton, ON and is available at King West Books.
Hear Tom Wilson explain the inspiration behind the Junkhouse song, Shine!
Impending book tariffs ‘a scary time’ for Hamilton indie bookstores — The Hamilton Spectator March 31, 2025
Cathedreal Cafe is compassion in action — The Hamilton Spectator April 4, 2025
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your financial support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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