Shaunt Basmajian

Shaunt Basmajian (30 September 1950 – 25 January 1990) was a Canadian poet and author.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon to Armenian parents, Basmajian emigrated to Canada when he was seven years old. He was a founder of the Canadian Poetry Association, co-founder of Old Nun Publications (with Ted Plantos), and was a member of the Parliament Street Library poetry group. The Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award, given annually to a Canadian poet, was established in his memory. The contest ran from 1996-2008.

In 1986, he was attacked with a knife and robbed while he was driving a taxi. His right lung was punctured when a robber stabbed him.

Sample poem
"I read the paper / and stay awake all night / writing poems / trying to forget everything / dreaming of a new world / a solution / an answer / in the aftermath"

&mdash;Shaunt Basmajian, excerpt from "On That Other Day In The Life Of Arto Sarkissian," Poets Who Don't Dance, 1985.