Winners of New Poets 26 and Single Poet 2025 competitions!

The results of the FSP New Poets 26 and Single Poet 2025 competitions are in!

Congratulations to the winners of New Poets 25 as judged by Avalanche:
John Atkinson for My Solid Heart
Kylie Dinning for Skimming the Seaweed
Matt Gaughwin for Thoughts of Deduska

Congratulations and commiserations to the Commended Poet:
Alex Robertson for The Plains Life

The standard of the submissions was very high. Click here to read the Judge’s Report in full:


I was asked very kindly if I’d judge this year’s crop for the Three Poets publication – of course, always happy to put something back, after all, FS has been a mainstay in poetry and spoken word circles hereabouts.?T

… Click for more

Poem of the Month – July 2025 – Roger Higgins

The Poem of the Month for July 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is Vital Statistics by Roger Higgins. The commended poems are autumn’s last day by David Cookson, Is It Love by Maeve Archibald and For the One I Have Become by Doris Nickolas.

Vital Statistics
(or Working in Winter in Kazakhstan)
Roger Higgins


Expect minus twenty-seven, feels like minus thirty-three,
I am decked out in thermals and multiple layers,
cheekbones feeling like thin glass
that would shatter at a touch.

And we are already below forecast
without counting the chill of a wind
piling snow to the rooflines of the few buildings
the window glass displaying in strata
the past week’s weather.… Click for more

FSP August City Meeting, Open Mic and Announcement of Publication Winners.

Friday, 1st August, 2025
Doors open at 6:00pm for 6:15pm start

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read; free to listen.
Strict 3-minute time limit, including any introductions, explanations and post-scripts.

During the meeting, the winners of the New Poets 26 and Single Poet 2025 competitions will be announced.

You can submit poems read at the Open Mic for consideration in the next Anthology via the form below.

… Click for more

Poem of the Month – June 2025 – phil saunders

The Poem of the Month for June 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is Enter Rapture by phil saunders. The commended poems are i only dream when i’m asleep by Geoff Aitkin, Patterns of Being by Margaret Fensom and The Homeless Man’s Dog by Maria Koukouvas.

Enter Rapture
phil saunders

enter rapids steamboat stability
romance blossoms in face of competition
flowers chocolate wine sideways glances
coffee
sweet kisses deny pretence
softly softly into the night
lovers’ steps shimmer united
lovers’ steps sparkle in step
eyes
lovers’ steps gleam
early hours
disorientation of place
sunlight through window an omen

darkness descends
spot rain fog diminishes viewpoints
trucks sound moody horns
fires and slippers inside
mood overtakes into tears
seek comfort does the bell toll for thee
doors open to opportunity
walk the lane should you dare
walk the cobbles slide over the smooth
walk the cobbles should you care
future steps fix the date
rain drops intermittent will not disturb
tears unbidden rest below for their time
walk the cobbles when you dare
walk the cobbles when you care
the finish is your rapture if you care to dare
the finish is your rapture if you dare to care

open the curtain
your love talks through the panes
language I know not for Cupid’s barbs to accompany
sailing boats and steamships wait
tug boats guide delivery
wild seas will not hinder finding motion across the calm

carousel roundabouts Cupid rides the circus
elephants and clowns as his handmaidens for the task
no need for ringmasters
audiences will applaud Cupid’s finesse
in awe of his capture of language

strong slow the wind
variations dip weave curve the air
drive tears to the surface
join wind’s raindrops
carve a path into heart’s homeland
dispel shadows for all who inhabit
make steps without fear
make short long journey home
strong slow the wind for another lifetime

Enter Rapture prepared with notes taken during a performance of the Australian String Quartet: Beethoven String Quartet No.11 in F Minor, Op.95, Serioso; Perica String Quartet No.1, No Feeling is Final; Janacek String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters; Golijov Tenebrae for string quartet.… Click for more

Coriole Poets and Pasta 2025

Saturday 16th August 2025
6:00pm – 9:00pm

Coriole Vineyards
79 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171

$60
Your ticket includes poets, pasta and galaktoboureko dessert!
Food will be served in shared format — just like at the family table.
Wines available for purchase by the glass or bottle.

Celebrating 50 Years of Friendly Street Poets

Join us for a favourite Coriole event — an evening of poetry, food and wine. Hosted by Mark Lloyd and Jude Aquilina, the event will feature South Australian poets reading their works. Enjoy entertaining, witty, humorous and satirical poetry.

Actors Lyn Pike and Dale March perform a Birthday Selection of Friendly Street Poetry
Guest Poets: Jude Aquilina and Nigel Day reading their own poetry
The Hot Spot: Contributions from the audience

Hot Spot Contributions are available for attendees to enter one of their own poems.… Click for more

FSP July City Meeting and Open Mic

Friday, 4th July, 2025
Doors open at 6:00pm for 6:15pm start

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

$5 to read; free to listen.
Strict 3-minute time limit, including any introductions, explanations and post-scripts.

You can submit poems read at the Open Mic for consideration in the next Anthology via the form below.

… Click for more
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