2025

Poem of the Month – December 2025 – Steve Evans

The Poem of the Month for December 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is North Yelta by Steve Evans. The commended poems are Jacaranda, Advent’s flower by Dawn Colsey, Big-hearted  Joe by Elizabeth Salna and Slammed by Jill Wherry.

North Yelta
Steve Evans

Before you wake
I sit at the table in the derelict house
that was your home
and watch the grey feathered sky.

If we could dismantle it,
we would take away the bed
on which you sleep a last time,
that bed you lay on first at ten
and have brought me to
at thirty five.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – November 2025 – Geoff Aitken

The Poem of the Month for November 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is gratis is not a liveable wage by Geoff Aitken. The commended poems are 15 seconds by Mandy McPeake, Yellow Moon by Maxine Platt and Semaphore 2025 by Mike Ladd (Mike’s poem is already accepted for publication elsewhere).

gratis is not a liveable wage
Geoff Aitken

he was unable to discuss
additional conditions
over the phone.

did say
caterers would be paid

so too the emcee.

the equipment
leased

and the premises
hired

while he as organiser
warranted a token fee.… Click for more

In case you missed it – or if you would like to see it again: The FSP 50th Anniversary Poetry Love In on video.

As part of the FSP 50th Anniversary celebrations, The Poetry Love In was held at the Box Factory on 7th November 2025. It was a big night with an all-star line up of FSP poets on the microphone. If you missed it, or of you were there and would like to re-live the experience, click on the link below to see a video of the night, thanks to Jude Aquilina.

click here to watch the video on YouTube

Jude is also putting together a video of the Anniversary Dinner so if you have photos from the night she could use, send them to her at: jude_poet[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – October 2025 – Kathryn von Bergen

The Poem of the Month for October 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is Penguin Blood by Kathryn von Bergen. The commended poems are Mathematician’s Oath to the Infinite by Claudia Raddatz, Half Light by Fred Willet and Pebble Hunt at Aldinga Beach by Martha Landman.

Penguin Blood
Kathryn von Bergen

Now
late in my life,
a discovery
resonant with wonder,
recalibrating my sense of self:

1940 –
University of Adelaide
Kerr, Pfeiffer, Dutton, Harris
poets avant-garde
birthing Angry Penguins
from ashes of Phoenix –
the journal, a movement
in those heady days
of Modernism.… Click for more

FSP December City Meeting – Launch of Chronicle – The First Fifty Years of Friendly Street and Open Mic

Friday, 5th December, 2025
Doors open at 6:00pm for 6:15pm start

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

To celebrate the first 50 years of FSP, we are launching:
Chronicle – The First Fifty Years of Friendly Street

This is an important history of one of the South Australia’s cultural landmarks (us). Supported by a grant from CreateSA, we can sell it to members for $5.00 (one copy each). Each of our 50 contributors will be acknowledged with the presentation of a free copy of this special publication.

A more elaborate second edition with colour and updates about the Love In and other FSP 50th Anniversary events will come out in the new year.… Click for more

Last chance reminder for tickets to FSP 50th Anniversary Dinner!

If you want to attend the Anniversary Dinner celebrating FSP’s very first meeting on the actual anniversary date of the 11th of the 11th, you MUST PURCHASE your ticket(s) BEFORE Sunday midnight. Tickets are selling fast and there are only a few left.

Tuesday 11 November 2025
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Coopers Alehouse
316 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, SA 5000

$46 for 2-course meal
Click here to book at trybooking

Friendly Street Poets invite you to our 50th Anniversary Dinner!

Each ticket includes a two-course meal.
The bar will be staffed so you can buy your drinks throughout the event.

Doors open at 6pm for pre-dinner drinks and catch-up conversations.… Click for more

+ More