Poem of the month

Each month the two FSP editors select a poem, from those read throughout that month, as the poem of the month. A laminated copy of the poem is awarded to the poet at the next FSP City meeting. This is peer recognition of a poem of high quality.

Poem of the Month – April 2022 – Martha Landman

The Poem of the Month for April 2022, selected by 2022 Anthology Editors, Veronica and David Cookson, is Some Days I See Bob Dylan in the Mall by Martha Landman. The commended poem for April is Poetry Like Bukowski by Nigel Ford.

Some Days I See Bob Dylan in the Mall
Martha Landman

Today it’s Allen Ginsberg.
Bob calls him over, they talk Kerouac.
Around them buskers cover a range
from lonesomeness to love for all
but no one sings Dylan in the Mall.
It’s violin, banjo and guitar,
young ones singing Hallelujah.
It’s winter and an idiot wind
howls through the alleys
too early for the city lights to come on.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – March 2022 – Pat Lee

The Poem of the Month for March 2022, selected by 2022 Anthology Editors, Veronica and David Cookson, is Villages of the Mendip Hills by Pat Lee. The commended poem for March is They Call Me Nana by Sarah Radford.

Villages of the Mendip Hills
Pat Lee

Somerset Great Britain

To reach the Mendip Hills
we followed roads, mere lanes,
like twirling ribbons across the countryside,
and through autumnal arches
with branches touching tips above the road,
and fluttering leaves, small welcome flags
to villages of my ancestors.
Their low doored cottages still stand,
with roofs of thatch or slate
and front doorsteps of stone, worn down,
now level with the narrow road.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – February 2022 – Jill Wherry

The Poem of the Month for February 2022, selected by 2022 Anthology Editors, Veronica and David Cookson, is Random Thoughts on Love by Jill Wherry. The commended poem for February is Butterfly Steps by Avalanche.

Random Thoughts on Love
Jill Wherry

I’d like to make love to a teacher.
I’m partial to qualified men;
Unless he’s a tad too judgemental,
Awarding me marks out of ten.

I used to make love to a policeman,
One very attached to his gun.
Though I didn’t enjoy this obsession,
His handcuffs were ever such fun.

I refused to make love to a Santa
So sensibly I knocked him back,
Until he seduced me with presents
And I ended up in the sack.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – December 2021: Overture for Winter by David Cookson

Congratulations to David Cookson, winner, November 2021 Poem of the Month, as selected by 2021 FSP Anthology editors, Louise Nicholas and Judy Dally.

And a reminder… any last submissions of poems read during the year at any of Friendly Street’s reading opportunities must be received by December 31, 2021, to be considered for inclusion in the next anthology. You should use the on-line submission form via the following link:
https://friendlystreetpoets.org.au/publications/fsp-annual-anthology/

Overture for Winter by David Cookson

The breeze grows claws,
rakes the ocean with a colder green. 
Sun from a Turner seascape
battles with shadows as I trudge home 
beneath hangdog casuarinas,
my hair matted by salt spray.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – September 2021: After the Cremation by Martha Landman

Congratulations to Martha Landman, winner, September 2021 Poem of the Month, as selected by 2021 FSP Anthology editors Louise Nicholas and Judy Dally.

After the Cremation
by Martha Landman

I polish the copperplate, sing laments to your ashes
until the earth questions the rain, persecuting it
for the myth of peaceful words in a lifeless land.
I’m an empty-handed sailor in a foreign port.
We converse in sign language. I tell your ashes
the nut trees are dry, the pump is broken, the ostrich
next door had two chicks.  I tell them there are days
when even the sea is quiet, unfamiliar with its own undercurrent.… Click for more

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