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

FSP 2023 Annual General Meeting and April Open Mic

Monday, 3rd April 2023
6:15pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent Street, Adelaide

The 2023 Annual General Meeting for Friendly Street Poets, Inc will begin at 6:15pm and, after a short break, will be followed by the April Open Mic.

Three minutes maximum per reader for the Open Mic. Bring two copies of your poems for submission to the next FSP Anthology or submit via the form below.

$5 at the door to read.

Click here for a PDF file of the AGM Agenda.

AGM Agenda

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
A few committee positions will be vacant at this AGM.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – December 2022 – Steve Evans

The Poem of the Month for December 2022, selected by 2022 Anthology Editors, Veronica and David Cookson, is A Frugal Proposal by Steve Evans. The commended poems for December are Every Afternoon by Judy Dally and Titled by Nigel Ford.

A Frugal Proposal
Steve Evans

My good-as-unused tinfoil
with just the odd wee tear.
My scruffy bit of paper
a little worse for wear.
My little scrap of cellophane,
my piece of broken string,
my own recycled envelope —
you really are the thing.

A seed that’s caught between my teeth,
a stone inside my shoe,
the gate that squeaks in winter wind
all make me think of you.… Click for more

Call-out: expression of interest for editors of the 2023 FSP Anthology

Friendly Street Poets (FSP) has a wonderful opportunity for two volunteer editors for the next poetry anthology based on readings in 2023.

Since its beginnings in 1975, FSP has consistently brought the work of both established and developing writers to a keen readership. The new annual anthology will be the 48th in our proud history.

The positions involve the editors: 

  • attending the monthly (Feb to Dec) readings at the Box Factory in the Adelaide CBD;
  • selecting a Poem of the Month from poems submitted, which will appear on our website — and deciding on Honourable Mentions where warranted;
  • determining poems for inclusion in the anthology;
  • corresponding with the successful poets, gathering bio information, etc;
  • writing an introduction for the book;
  • organising cover design, layout, etc;
  • liaising with the printers;
  • launching the book during the year.
… Click for more

FSP February City Meeting and Open Mic

Monday, 6th February, 2023
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read. 3 minutes per poet

Add your name to the reading list on the night if you want a turn at the mic. Bring two printed copies of your poems with your name and contact details if you want them considered for next year’s anthology, or submit them electronically via the form below after the session.

The meeting will be held under current COVID-19 safety plans as required.

… Click for more

Poem of the Month – November 2022 – Elaine Barker

The Poem of the Month for November 2022, selected by 2022 Anthology Editors, Veronica and David Cookson, is Tearaway by Elaine Barker. The commended poems for November are Overture by David Harris and Figs for Cockatoos by Mandy Toczek McPeake.

Tearaway
Elaine Barker

He arrived hugger-mugger into life
and feet first. What a balls-up,
said the doctor but all was well.
He was a rumble-tumble baby,
a harum-scarum toddler
who ran hurry-scurry
before he learnt to walk.
He turned into a tearaway kid
whose mother said quick-sticks
before anything would be done.
He ran riot as a teenager,
collected odds and sods
in his mishmash of a room
and was always losing things
in a slipshod kind of way.… Click for more

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