Poem of the Month – May 2025 – Rory Kennett-Lister

The Poem of the Month for May 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is Sestina for Ankylosing Spondylitis by Rory Kennett-Lister. The commended poems are Under obs by Louise Nicholas, Pre-dawn April night by David Bailles and Gazan cull by Murray Alfredson.

Sestina for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Rory Kennett-Lister

Descending the station stairs the light
Shifts from pure sun to fluorescent pulse.
A rush of panicked wind. I make my way
Deeper underground. The train wails from the dark
Along rusted, aging tracks that thread
Beneath the city like screaming nerves. 

Stepping through the yawning doors my nerves
Fire, shooting blind, a flailing light
From hips to back.… Click for more

FSP June City Meeting – Anthology 49 launch and Open Mic

Apologies for the previous confusing info re dates for this meeting. This one is correct: ignore the others!!

Friday, 6th June, 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.

The evening will commence with the launch of the FSP Anthology 49, edited by Martha Landman and Avalanche.

As part of the launch, the winners of the Satura and Nova Prizes will be announced by this year’s Judge, who will be revealed on the night, along with the title and cover of the Anthology.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – April 2025 – Roz Schulz

The Poem of the Month for April 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is The Art of Saving by Roz Schulz. The commended poems are limbo by Barbara Preston, Abandon Yourself to Mozart by Susan O’Brien and In the Vicinity of a Love Poem by Steve Evans.

The Art of Saving
Roz Schulz

They were the last on the butcher’s run, mid north,
dry hot summer, horse and cart, no refrigeration.
The bonus some leftover cuts, jokes with the butcher
and a flagon of wine into the sunset.
His wife cooked the week’s meat straight away –
His mind and soul were fashioned the way he beat
mugs out of tins, scrolled over the sharp top edge,
but you could still cut your lip on it.… Click for more

Reminder – CHRONICLE: a celebration of Friendly Street Poets’ first 50 years

Submissions are now closed

As part of our 50th year, FSP invites all our poets to contribute to CHRONICLE: A celebration of Friendly Street Poets’ first 50 years..

We want to know what it means to us all to have had Friendly Street Poets as a meeting place
and forum. The things you remember. The people. The oddities. The events or social
movements that have shaped Friendly Street Poets. The highlights and lowlights.

What we’re looking for is your memories in short vignettes, poetry or prose to a
maximum of 500 words.

The more contributors the better.

We are aiming to launch the book at the December 2025 City Meeting of FSP.… Click for more

Reminder: Sunday 4th May – Poetry and Music at Milang

Sunday 4th May 2025
Sign-in from 1:30pm for 2:00pm start

Milang Lakeside Butter Factory
22-23 Daranda Terrace, Milang, SA 5256.

As part of History Month, Jude Aquilina has organised a poetry and music event at the historic Milang Lakeside Butter Factory.

Read a poem for the Poetry Slam (2 minute limit)
$250 PRIZE MONEY!

$10 entry fee for the Competition or read for free at the Open Mic.

Come along and enjoy the day supporting regional poetry and music events.

Click here for more info about the event and venue.

Poem of the Month – March 2025 – Helen Hutton

The Poem of the Month for March 2025, selected by 2025 Anthology editors Val Braendler and Ben Adams, is Cold Case by Helen Hutton. The commended poems are Taking the Master Class by Nigel Ford, 3 x H20 by Bruce Greenhalgh and Ends and Soapbubbles by Avalanche.

Cold Case
Helen Hutton

i
Night is crisp as a nurse’s bib
and the bench seat in the old Holden
cold and narrow like an ambo’s gurney …
there’s me – look – pressed against the passenger door
      no handle,       no window winder      no escape.
He strokes the column shift
sweat glistens on the ginger hairs
on the back of his hand, saliva pools
in the corner of his mouth …
No need to sit over there, city Sheila.… Click for more

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