Marie Metaphor Specht is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and educator living with her partner and son on the unceded territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən- and SENĆOTEN-speaking peoples. She has collaborated with filmmakers, lighting engineers, dancers, and musicians to create immersive and interactive works. A long-time member of the Canadian spoken word scene, Marie is currently serving a two-year term as the 6th Poet Laureate of Victoria, British Columbia. Her work has been featured at festivals, arts events and poetry slams across the country. She believes in the transformative power of this art form and has had the privilege of coaching and creating space for youth poets for two decades.

Marie’s poetry has been published in Oratorealis, Untethered Magazine, Chestnut Review, The Hellebore, and Room Magazine, among others. Her debut poetry collection, Soft Shelters, is published with Write Bloody North.