2023

Poem of the Month – December 2023 – Valerie Volk

The Poem of the Month for December 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is Lot 22 by Valerie Volk. The commended poems for December are In Worrying Times by Elaine Barker, strings by phil saunders and Akin (excerpt) by Robbie Lennard.

Lot 22
Valerie Volk

Impersonal, the auctioneer’s drone.
Small square wooden case. Unusual.
An apathetic crowd. My pang of guilt,
in spite of family pressure, voice of reason.
Time to downsize, get rid of stuff.

But this. I should have kept it.
Made by a father’s loving hand.
I hear his accent, still …
A case for you, for school.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – November 2023 – Geoff Johnson

The Poem of the Month for November 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is All Saints by Geoff Johnson. The commended poems for November are Love in Triplets by Erica Jolly, After the Poem by Gail Walker and Spur-winged Plovers by Murray Alfredson.

All Saints
Geoff Johnson

Somehow the teachings have settled
maybe scattered
’cross the pavements of their minds
something of the living impulse
stirred in their hearts.

A sound not suppressed
feathered in the wind
rattling
with ghosts in the night.

They’ve buried their hurts
not knowing where to find them
unearthing what they claim
as their own.… Click for more

Edward’s Crossing Writers – Poem of the Month

In November, Nigel Ford and Rob Ferris attended the annual meeting of the Edward’s Crossing Writers group, a regional FSP group based in Murray Bridge (originally called “Edward’s Crossing” in the 19 century). The meeting included an Open Mic from which the 2023 Anthology Editors, Rob Ferris and Maria Vouis, selected a Poem of the Month, Men Of Yemen by Max Merckenschlager and three commended poems: Flinders Ranges – 2009 by Elizabeth Bell; Unravelled by Di Walton and Music of the Earth by Lynette Zander. Congratulations!

Men Of Yemen
Max Merckenschlager

Ali the sportsmaster and school disciplinarian
took my hand in his
and lead me unselfconsciously
to where I’d sought directions.… Click for more

FSP December City Meeting and Open Mic

Monday, 4th December, 2023
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read. 3 minutes per poet

This is our final city open mic meeting for 2023 and your last chance to submit poems to the next FSP Anthology.

Add your name to the reading list on the night if you want a turn at the mic. Bring two printed copies of your poems with your name and contact details if you want them considered for next year’s anthology, or submit them electronically via the form below after the session.

The meeting will be held under current COVID-19 safety plans if required.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – October 2023 – Stef Rozitis

The Poem of the Month for October 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is Transtextuality by Stef Rozitis. The commended poems for October are Nature on the Table by Heather Nimmo, The Russet Room by Elaine Barker and Singing Lesson by Nigel Ford.

Transtextuality
Stef Rozitis

Politics is the whole point
fluid refusing to be grasped
avoiding sojourn in your killing jar.
I will not be pinned as a specimen
of this queer identity or that

instead,
I will be read only
as Lancelot, a shadow in the mirror of Shallot
I will be known through texts, excessive sex performances
a storm of answers.… Click for more

New Poets 24 and Single Poet 2023 launched!

New Poets 24 Peter Mahoney, Helen Hutton and Nigel Ford; New Poets 24 judge Jude Aquilina; SIngle Poets 2023 judge Steve Evans; SIngle Poet 2023 gareth roi jones 

New Poets 24 and Single Poet 2023 were officially launched at a great night on 30 October 2023 to a capacity crowd of 80 people at the Q on Hallett. The launch celebrated the collective works of New Poets 24 Nigel Ford (My Father’s Son), Helen Hutton (Stepping on Shadows) and Peter Mahoney (Facebook Poems) as well as the solo collection for Single Poet 2023 gareth roi jones (Selected Poems 1992-2022). … Click for more

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