Jules Leigh Koch

Jules Leigh Koch was born in Sydney and raised in Adelaide. He is the author of five poetry collections and has been a recipient of two South Australian Literature grants in 2008 and 2011. He has conducted poetry workshops in schools and colleges and at the South Australian Writers Centre. He has also worked as a mentor for emerging poets from Friendly Street Poets and the Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust. His professional life is spent working with children with special needs in educational settings.

'First Rough Draft' by Jules Leigh Koch | States of Poetry SA - Series Two

States of Poetry South Australia - Series Two • 20 February 2018

I walk through an industrial landscapein the painful adolescent hoursbefore sunrise above the sky has sobered upbut the high tensions wiresare still drippingwith conversationslong after rain has fallen traffic lights turngreenorangeredcity streets are wind blownwith electric light underfootleaves have formed the first rough draftof autumn ... (read more)

'Monastery' by Jules Leigh Koch | States of Poetry SA - Series Two

States of Poetry South Australia - Series Two • 20 February 2018

the early morning skyhas bled out all over the snug tiled roofsand tranquillised gardensof a Buddhist monastery the air is a medleywith yellow and orangeshavings of sunlight in the dormitory’s courtyardwell-bred leavesare falling like penances stone buildings stand mutewith only a monologue of prayer bellssounding out each hour in the commune kitchena group of young backpackerseat their ric ... (read more)

'Midwinter Sketch' by Jules Leigh Koch | States of Poetry SA - Series Two

States of Poetry South Australia - Series Two • 20 February 2018

1.the barbed-wire soundsof crowshas fetched out the sunfrom behindthe ridge daybreakhas saddles upthe sky 2.along the riverthe mist is chainsmoking otherwise the onlybright moments are the small hoof printsof sunlight treadingover paddocks 3.a riveruntetheredat one end its muscular frameis narrowing out and browningas it stretches acrossthe plain a rubber band 4.a herd of caravansare gra ... (read more)

'Say Cheese' by Jules Leigh Koch | States of Poetry SA - Series Two

States of Poetry South Australia - Series Two • 20 February 2018

Friesian cows are leaningover the fence their eyes are an intense studyof nothing a bus load of Japanese touristsstop the cows take black and whitesnap shots of them ... (read more)

'Eulogy' by Jules Leigh Koch | States of Poetry SA - Series Two

States of Poetry South Australia - Series Two • 20 February 2018

When achilddies A crossis madein woodwork Angelsare drawnin the art room The school flagis hoistedto half mast In the assembly hallvases of liliesare placed At recessthe children sit togethera little tighter The playgroundswing hasa minute’s silence ... (read more)