Lifeline Becomes Lifelong Passion Long-time Kilworth resident Ron Stewart has written poetry for over 30 years. Poetry was not only an art form for which Ron developed a deep passion; it was a lifeline.
Ron never set out to be a poet. He joined the RCAF, attended Royal Military College (RMC) and became a pilot. After college, Ron began a 44-year aviation career as a pilot, an aircraft accident investigator and finally, a captain at Air Ontario. In 1989, Ron was settling in as Air Ontario’s first Manager of Flight Safety when one of the airline’s F28 jet airliners went down in Dryden, Ontario. “Twenty-four souls were lost, including three crewmembers who were my friends,” explains Ron. “Because I kept the flight safety records, I was put through an official inquiry lasting three gruelling years.” The experience of that investigation and the loss of his friends led Ron into a period of depression. “I had returned to line flying by then, but because Air Ontario was now based in
Poet Ron Stewart and his wife Jan
Ron’s inspiration comes from anywhere and anytime. “One poem came to me fully written while I was showering,” he laughs. Inspiration for another came during a walk in the Kilworth woods. That resulting poem won the Antigonish Review Great Blue Heron poetry contest in 2006; an honour Ron considers a great achievement. When writing his poetry, Ron also draws on his experiences, imagination, and moments that move him. His poem “A Gift” was written to express gratitude for a poetry editor. His poem “On Rippling Water” pays homage to the stream at the end of Jeffries Road. For Ron, poetry is everywhere, and he loves sharing it with the community. He created a Little House of Poetry display at the end of his driveway where he posts his poems and those written by famous poets. Ron recently converted his poetry board into a Little Free Poetry Library. Ron hopes his new library will inspire people to swing by 46 Beechnut Street to read some poetry or borrow a book. If you do, you just might find a lifeline that ignites a lifelong passion for you too. Photos courtesy of Ron Stewart
Toronto, I was driving there from Kilworth,” adds Ron. “I often stayed with my wife’s cousin who also suffered from depression. He encouraged me to write my way through it. Poetry became my way out. It was a lifeline.” Today, Ron has written thousands of poems, many of which have been published online and in print and have won poetry contests.
Every now and then a small leaf boat bounces and bubbles along, skirting boulders, dipping over stones slipping between rocks. always upright, secure, stable, as if guided by a small insect crew. Ants on the tiller, Spiders on the sail.
On Rippling Water I watch the water rippling over rocks in the stream in the woods my dog and I visit every day. The water is clean crystal clear, pure hugging tight to rounded rocks,
pulled tight as if by some giant magnet.
a solitary thing wrapped in love a realization each life has a limited number of days and each exquisite one is to be cherished.
A Gift Every day is a gift a present received without need of recompense or future penury
Ron when he was an RCAF pilot To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com
Page 11 KKD Villager September 2025
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