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
Monday 5 August 2024 Open Mic: 6:15pm Anthology Launch: 8:15pm
The Box Factory 49 Regent Street, Adelaide
Following the Open Mic, please join judge Mike Ladd, editors Maria Koukouvas,Rob Ferris, and Friendly Street Poets for the launch of our annual Anthology 48, Mimesis.
The book will be unveiled, Satura and Nova prizes announced, readings plucked from the anthology, followed by a time for mingling, sparkling and enjoying food and drink with your favourite poets.
Long list nominations for the Satura Prize (best poem in the Anthology)
This Empty Space – jacqui merkenschlager The Art Teacher – Helen Parsons The Almanac of Last Things – Helen Parsons Samos – Sue O’Brien Nganno Mt Lofty – Rob Ferris El Capitan – Rob Ferris My body and me – Mandy Toczek McPeake Dementia Ward Wishlist – Judy Dally The Bull – Jules Leigh Koch Willy willy – David Cookson Things I learned from someone else’s grandmother – Helen Hutton Going Home – Helen Hutton The Baby Locket – Carey Hamlyn Storm – Steve Evans Spur Winged Plovers – Murray Alfredson Here# – Rory Harris Sister – Rory Harris Mass – Rory Harris Poet – Peter Mahoney Morning walk, 37 degrees – Louise Nicholas Piano – Louise Nicholas Nature on the table – Heather Nimmo Lot 22 – Valerie Volk Loose Limb Man – Martha Landman Hello this is David – Sarah Radford Memory Bone Soup – Maria Koukouvas (Vouis) Bucket of Fish – Maria Koukouvas (Vouis) Me – Beth Baile Free Fall – Stella Damarjati
Long list nominations for the Nova Prize (best poem written by a first-time published poet in the anthology)
Poet – Peter Mahoney Me – Beth Baillie Free Fall – Stella Damarjati
The Poem of the Month for June 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman, is Sympathy for Iago by Virginia Hussin. The commended poems are How To Meet A Deadline by Sue O’Brien and Ice Man by David Harris.
Sympathy for Iago Virginia Hussin
Our year 12 English teacher, Mrs Candy Is most perplexed – one could say unsettled Because so many of us feel sorry for Iago. Iago is supposed to be the villain
But we variously argue That he was working-class That the world was stacked against him That he didn’t have the advantages In life that for example, Cassio had Let alone the handsome Othello Who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth
What generation were we to be saying these things?… Click for more
The Poem of the Month for April 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman, is Say Cheese by Bruce Greenhalgh. The commended poems are Suddenly the Sky by Margaret Dingle and The Famous Last words of the Male Driver by Beth Baillie.
Say Cheese Bruce Greenhalgh
In my younger years I wanted to be a cheese. I wasn’t aiming high. I wasn’t ‘getting ahead of myself’. I wasn’t thinking Camembert or Brie, more your Cracker Barrel or tasty cheddar, even processed cheese sandwich slices would do.
In time though, I learnt I wasn’t cut out to be a cheese, and that was disappointing.… Click for more
The Poem of the Month for March 2024, selected by 2024 Anthology editors Ivan Rehorek (Avalanche) and Martha Landman, is Musings from a beer drinker by Nigel Ford. The commended poem is Still Learning by Veronica Cookson.
Musings from a beer drinker Nigel Ford
I’m drinking beers And I went to the toilet Because I’m drinking beers And I went to the fridge On my way back To get another beer And I thought You idiot You’ve still got half a glass of beer Then I thought You idiot You haven’t the class for glass You’re drinking cans. Like I wrote I’m drinking beers.… Click for more
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.
The meeting will be held under current COVID-19 safety plans if required.
