In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Sarah Holland-Batt reads her poem 'Quetzalcoatl' which features in the 2016 QLD anthology.
Quetzalcoatl
—for Vera Pavlova, in Mexico City
On the bus to Teotihuacan, we turna new god's name on our tongues
like a charm, jagging pastcinderblocked hills
chocked over the motorway,grey pixels stacked so high the ... (read more)
Hidden Author
ANAM and BPO
Brett Dean is the subject of our next Stage Door interview in the magazine (August). Michael Shmith discusses Dean's remarkable career with the composer-violist, with particular reference to his new opera, Hamlet, which will première at Glyndebourne in June 2017. (Arts Update, like many, eagerly awaits news of an Australian première.)
In the interview, Brett Dean – a former Dire ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, J.P. Quinton reads his poem 'Reading the Landscape' which features in the 2016 WA anthology.
Reading the Landscape
To read a landscape by another landscape;Valley cloud reveals altitude.
To read the landscape visits the egoThat prevents a proper reading.
To this landscape, the circular fireplaceAnd a straight trunk – xan ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Jeanine Leane reads her poems 'Lady Mungo Speaks' and 'Whitefellas' which feature in the 2016 ACT anthology.
Lady Mungo Speaks
For Garry Papin and the Muthi-Muthi People of Lake Mungo
Lady Mungo heard the white scientists tramplingon her people's sacredness and she began to surface –to speak.While you archaeologis ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Sarah Rice reads her poems 'The Saying and The Said' and 'Dad' which feature in the 2016 ACT anthology.
The Saying and the Said
Timing and manner my mum would always sayand it's true, the how and when override the whatof what's said, and the same is true of poetry.
I don't think people remember their tone when ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Carolyn Abbs reads her poems 'At the house where my father was born' and 'Triple Mirrors' which feature in the 2016 Western Australian anthology.
At the house where my father was born
'It hurts to go through walls, it makes you sick,but it's necessary.' − Tomas Tranströmer
I'd expected a labyrinth of small dark r ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Nathan Shepherdson reads his poem 'the black hand of Badia Elmi' which features in the 2016 Queensland anthology.
the black hand of Badia Elmi
Nathan Shepherdson
'the black hand of Badia Elmi' appears in 'States of Poetry - QLD'. You can learn more about States of Poetry and read the full antholo ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Jelena Dinic reads her poem 'The Silence of Siskins' which features in the 2016 South Australian anthology.
The Silence of Siskins
for my grandfather
He circles my arrivalon the calendar.
It is late Novemberand it doesn't snow.
A wooden pallethardens his bed.
He dreams of grandmother.He doesn't want new dreams.
... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Jelena Dinic reads her poem 'Babysitting' which features in the 2016 South Australian anthology.
Babysitting
for Mia
I wore my grandmother's clothesand sat on her doorstep.Monday to Friday.She talked.I lied.
'I'll teach you how to write,' I saidpretending I couldhold a pen.'Mouse will eat your ears,' she smiled.
A ... (read more)
In this episode of Australian Book Review's States of Poetry podcast, Jelena Dinic reads her poem 'Handbag' which features in the 2016 South Australian anthology.
Handbag
after Vasko Popa
Always ready to leaveleavingeach time furtherfrom the whispersof the grass.
She has forgottenher death,the calf she once was.
Curled around an arma new name sewninto her mouthshe's been there, done ... (read more)