Friendly Street Poets

#1 Category for all work published on this site

Poem of the Month – November 2025 – Rob Ferris

The Poem of the Month for November 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman, is Rime of the Ancient Surfer by Rob Ferris. The commended poems are sail by Rory Harris,  Stop at red light by Martin Christmas and an own table by Geoffrey Atkin.

Rime of the Ancient Surfer
Rob Ferris

At 75, the long board could be
a stretcher
but here you are
improbable
paddling gamely with
rubber clad old sticks
for arms
seeming to hold your own
until Poseidon frowns
at your presumption
and breaks one on your head.… Click for more

FSP December City Meeting and Open Mic

Monday, 2nd December, 2024
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

All welcome!

$5 to read. 3 minutes per poet.
Free to listen.

This is our final meeting for 2024 and your last chance to submit poems for the next FSP poetry anthology!

You must be a member of FSP to submit your poems for consideration for publication in the annual anthology. Bring two printed copies of your poems with your name and contact details to submit for next year’s anthology, or submit them electronically via the form below after the session.

… Click for more

New Poets 25 launch

Wednesday, 20 November, 2024

Ern Malley
137 Magill Road, Stepney, SA 5069

Pre drinks at 6.00pm
Launch starts at 6.45pm

Come and join the winners of the New Poets 25 competition for the launch of their book with new collections from
Vicky Ireland: Orange Oceans
Robbie Lennard: Shermika
phil saunders: Foundlings not Lost

Copies of the book will be available on the night.

Light refreshments and alcohol available.

The event will be MCd by Nigel Ford, Convenor of Friendly Street Poets.

Shaine Melrose book launch

Wednesday 30 October 2024
6:00 – 8:00pm

Goodwood Books
145 Goodwood Road, Goodwood

Shaine Melrose had her first poetry collection published in FSP New Poets 23 in 2022. Now she is inviting you to the launch of her full-length collection The Natural World Somersaults, to be launched by Dr Rachael Mead, with readings from Shaine and friends.

Come along and celebrate this fabulous achievement!

Click here to book your spot (free!) or pre-order a signed book ($20).

Signed books also will be available on the night.

From the cover:

“The Natural World Somersaults is a book of hard-won, resonant and powerful writing.… Click for more

Launch of Anthology 48 – Mimesis – and Satura Prize winning poem.

Friendly Street Anthology 48 – Mimesis, was launched on Monday, 5th Augus, 2024, at the Box Factory in Adelaide to a full house. Judge Mike Ladd, a founding member of Friendly Street Poets, a widely published poet and former producer of ABC’s Radio National programme Poetica, awarded the  Satura Prize to Helen Hutton for Going Home, a poem which addresses the insidious and socially silent crime of Domestic Violence but which is finally in the social and literary zeitgeist. Helen also won the Satura Prize last year for her poem, For Grace, in Anthology 47, Round the Bend, edited by Veronica and David Cookson.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – July 2024 – Helen Hutton

The Poem of the Month for July 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman, is My grandfather’s second wife by Helen Hutton. The commended poems are A Life by Steve Evans and Hills Hippy Open Garden by David Winderlich.

My grandfather’s second wife
Helen Hutton

1972
In your biscuit-warm kitchen, lined with rose-pink tiles and flooded with sunlight, you
shaped lavender-infused dough with vitiligo hands. You streaked my nose with a line of flour
and said I looked like a Scottish Highlander. When you touched my cheek, your hands felt
warm like butter balls.… Click for more

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