States of Poetry Series Two
Wednesday 28 November 2016, Adelaide
the day of the storm
I had a poetry reading
with Nathan Curnow
overland from Ballarat
to launch his collection
The Apocalypse Awards
an hour into the unprecedented
statewide blackout
I took his call
you bastard
you brought the apocalypse with you
a flock of starlings
rises like applause
from the roof
of her Majesty’s Theatre
I met Ted Berrigan
in a dream
wearing a T-shirt
standing in a sparsely
furnished room
the early Berrigan
not yet bed ridden
but distinctly
pot bellied
& the beard
of course
it was a vivid dream
I can’t remember
if he said anything
literary
but he seemed pleased
to be there.
State Editor's Introduction by Peter Goldsworthy | States of Poetry SA - Series Two
Steve Brock began writing in the shadow of the New York school, but in ‘dreaming with Ted Berrigan’ – ‘I can’t remember if he said anything’ – might be saying goodbye to those earlier cool dudes and already a ...
Born in Brisbane 1972, Samuel’s poetry has collected numerous accolades and opportunities. His writing is featured in anthologies, public art works, films, and on-board the international space station. Love Poems and Death Threats is his latest collection with University of Queensland Press. He recently won the 2015 ...
... (read more)... and my mind is a washing machine filled with houses made from soil in Stalingrad, of having to detonate explosives found in trains, of stealing wheat all night long for his sister and baby ...
... (read more)My father can find
any building in unfamiliar
surroundings. I do not have this sense ...
During the war tick
your parents
tick tick
didn’t want to leave everything behind again ...
Dots twirl along my veins
At least a dozen in each arm
Blood-test confetti
from a diagnosis party ...
