Events

Getting out and about with Friendly Street Poets

Poem of the Month – April 2023 – David Cookson

The Poem of the Month for April 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is Musings on a Chinese Scroll by David Cookson. The commended poems for April are The Old Horns by Ivan Rehorek aka Avalanche and The Piano by Louise Nicholas.

Musings on a Chinese Scroll
David Cookson

Impossible cliffs thrust
into broad-brush clouds,
their conifers clawing naked rock
bereft of bird or life
until bottom left, a sage,
crossing a bridge,
hat, sandals and staff:
five brush strokes
that touch perfection —
remind of other complements;
a curve of throat,
misty crags,
your lips, parted,
just enough,
just before.… Click for more

FSP Anthology 47 launch and order form

Judges and editors
Left to right: David Cookson (editor), Max Merckenschlager (judge), Veronica Cookson (editor), Jacqui Merckenschlager (judge), Sue O’Brien (Convenor)
Winners
Left to right: Stef Rozitis, Elaine Barker, Louise Nicholas, Charlie Madden, Helen Hutton,  Meryl McDougall, Rob Ferris, Maria Vouis, Sue O’Brien

FSP is excited to announce that Anthology 47 was officially launched by in-coming Convenor, Sue O’Brien, at the monthly meeting on 1 May 2023.

Edited by Veronica and David Cookson, the anthology’s title, beyond the bend … , takes its name from a line in Torbay by contributing poet, Sharon Foulkes. The collection of over 100 poems thrilled the judges, Jacqui and Max Merckenschlager, who were at the launch to meet the winning and commended poets. … Click for more

FSP May City Meeting – Anthology 47 Launch & Open Mic

Monday, 1st May, 2023
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

The meeting will start with the launch of the FSP Annual Anthology 47, edited by Veronica and David Cookson. As part of the launch, the winners of the Satura Prize for the poem judged the best in the Anthology, and Nova Prize for the best poem in the Anthology written by a first-time published poet will be announced. The title of the Anthology, its cover and the judge for the prizes all will be revealed on the night!

Copies of FSP Anthology 47 will be available for sale on the night for $20.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – March 2023 – David Cookson

The Poem of the Month for March 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is willy-willy by David Cookson. The commended poems for March are I Come From by Helen Hutton, At the Zoo with a Bush Poet by Jill Wherry and Chatting with Confidence by Michele Slatter.

willy-willy
David Cookson

Hawker, SA

no overture
far out     aloof
on the blue-bush motley
a dervish of dust
dead leaves
dancing only for itself
a fleeting sketch
to drift through memory
in wakeful hours
as an oud years back
pensive
in that Cairo side street
and a blink ago
        scent of desert
                in your hair

I Come From Here
Helen Hutton

after I Am From by George Ella Lyon

I come from a suburb flexing its muscles
waiting to be heard,
from chook sheds, bent Hills Hoists, ice chests,
the milkman on Monday,
and the smell of bread and the baker’s horse.… Click for more

FSP Life Memberships to Erica Jolly and Nigel Ford

Nigel Ford presents Erica Jolly with a certificate for Life Membership
Sue O’Brien presents Nigel Ford with a certificate for Life Membership

Life membership is awarded to a person who has made an exceptional contribution to Friendly Street Poets, Inc. At the 2023 AGM, two such awards were made.

Nigel Ford was awarded Life Membership for his outstanding commitment to poetry generally, to promoting and supporting poets’ groups in the broader community, and to his unswerving support of Friendly Street Poets as a committee member, six years as Convenor and 10 years as Regional Representative.

Erica Jolly was awarded Life Membership for decades of teaching, mentoring and supporting poets within Friendly Street Poets and the wider community.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – February 2023 – Helen Parsons

The Poem of the Month for February 2023, selected by 2023 Anthology Editors, Maria Vouis and Rob Ferris, is The almanac of last things by Helen Parsons. The commended poems for February are What I Learned From Someone Else’s Grandmother by Helen Hutton, Evening Indulgence by Roslyn Schulz and Life Drawing 1 by Susan O’Brien.

The almanac of last things
Helen Parsons

After Linda Pastan’s poem of the same name

From the almanac of last things I choose fire,
for its warmth and for its fluctuations,
although I know it is both hearth and danger,
bearing its own shadow.… Click for more

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