Friendly Street Poets

#1 Category for all work published on this site

Poem of the Month – September 2026 – Rosalba Clemente

The Poem of the Month for September 2026, selected by 2026 Anthology editors Elizabeth Salna and Erica Jolly, is For Sylvia by Rosalba Clemente. The commended poems are Ode to an Unsung Life by Veronica Cookson, Invocation by Colleen Lamshed, The Loss by Alan Laslett, and Sanctuary of Sawdust by Kathryn von Bergen.

For Sylvia
Rosalba Clemente

I told you I was troubled
but marriage insisted 
though my head was
halfway in the oven. 
Don’t complain now
of dirty nappies and  
unpaid bills and yes
you’ll have to bring
up the children; 
those placid angels we
made whilst you wrote
to accolades and I wrote
the kitchen table
burning fire and ice
my glory grave on paper.… Click for more

New Poets 27 and Single Poet 2026 winners

The winners and commended entries for New Poets 27 and Single Poet 2026 were announced by the two judges at the Box Factory on Friday 7th August 2026.

New Poets 27 was judged by Rob de Kok:

WInners:

  • Verity Laughton with Swallows
  • Rob McKinnon with ember rain…
  • Tracy McNally with Wishing on Satellites

Highly commended: Polly Cass with Rivers and Roads

Single Poet 2026 was judged by Steve Brock:

Winner: Helen Hutton with the syntax of silence

  • Runner-up: Chelsea Avard with telling secrets
  • Highly commended: Amanda Solly with Encyclopedia Ephemera
  • Commended: Peter Mahoney with Putain Quais.

The new volumes will be launched on Saturday, 12th December at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton.… Click for more

FSP 2026 AGM summary report

Summary report from convenor, Nigel Ford, of the 2026 FSP Annual General Meeting held at the Box Factory, 10th April, 2026

Three members of the Committee did not continue: Veronica Cookson, David Cookson and Sue O’Brien. I’d like to thank them for their wonderful service to the FSP Committee, especially for all the work they undertook to help make Friendly Street Poets’ 50th Anniversary year and celebrations such a success. Special thanks to Veronica Cookson for taking on the Secretary role for her 2 year tenure.

Three members nominated to return to the Committee: Nigel Ford, Erica Jolly & Fred Willett.… Click for more

FSP April City Meeting – 2026 AGM and Open Mic

Friday 10th April 2026
doors at 6:00pm for 6:25pm start

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read, free to listen.

The April City Meeting will begin with the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Friendly Street Poets Incorporated. To take part in the AGM, you must be a current financial member of FSP for 2026. Click here for information about membership and forms. You will be able to join or renew your membership on the night before the AGM if necessary.

If you would like to nominate for a position on the Committee or provide a proxy to vote on your behalf, please use the form below or send us a message via this link:
https://friendlystreetpoets.org.au/contact-us/… Click for more

Waffle Awards 2026

Following many comments about the breath of fresh air the Love In brought to Friendly Street, we are introducing 3 awards for your enjoyment and participation:

The Damp Hankie Award
for the soppiest love poem at the 1 May 2026 City Meeting;

The Avoid Them Like The…. Award
for the most awful cliché(s) at the 7 August 2026 City Meeting;

The It’s A What ? Award
for the worst metaphor/simile at the 2 October 2026 City Meeting.

How it works:

This competition is entwined with the normal Friendly Street meetings. Your poem must be no more than 30 lines long and be read within a normal 3-minute slot.… Click for more

FSP March City Meeting & Open Mic

Friday 6th March 2026
doors at 6:00pm for 6:30pm start

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read, free to listen.

It’s Adelaide Festival and Fringe time and the poetry continues at FSP!

As usual, a strict 3-minute time limit applies, including any introductions, explanations and post-scripts. Bring two typed / printed copies of your poem with all your contact details on the back of the pages for submission to the next FSP Annual Anthology.

Membership fees for 2026 are now due: $25 for wage earners and $15 for others.
Click here for information about membership and forms.… Click for more

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