On my computer I have managed to stop the automatic capitalization of the first letter of a line, and since it was still bothering others I thought I would try to explain how to remedy it. I have Word 2007, which might work somewhat differently, but here is what I did. Go to the Word options (in the command menu) and find 'Proofing'. In Proofing select the 'Autocorrect Options'. There should be a ticked box for 'Captalize first letter of sentences'. Untick this box. Problem solved, I hope. If you can't find the autocorrect options menu ,as it may be in a different place in earlier word versions, try using the help function to tell you where to find it.
Good luck!
Sunday 7 December 2008
Saturday 6 December 2008
Correction to Train poem
I forgot to make the changes to the posted version of my train poem here. For Upfield and Hurstbridge read Frankston and Sandringham.
Train and Love Poems
Here are two of my train and love poems from the Xmas party - one of each.
Bow To Your Partner
will the passengers
in the train on
platform 2
please move
to the train on
platform 3
this is now the Upfield train
?
will the passengers
in the train on
platform 3
please move
to the train on
platform 2
this is now
the Hurstbridge train
?
thank god
we got that
sorted out
says one man
expressing
the general relief
everyone smiles
now at least
we won’t have to travel
among strangers
Economy
If sacrifice is slavery
I am enslaved, my mother
is enslaved; all mothers, and women
the whole world over,
and men, too, all who have learned
love’s secret: enslaved.
A man taught me: love
feeds on giving, grows
not from those gifts received
but from unsounded depths
of a self worn thin
with giving.
What strange economy
where conservation kills
and only spendthrifts thrive.
So much for reasoned laws.
If love is slavery
who’d opt for freedom?
Bow To Your Partner
will the passengers
in the train on
platform 2
please move
to the train on
platform 3
this is now the Upfield train
?
will the passengers
in the train on
platform 3
please move
to the train on
platform 2
this is now
the Hurstbridge train
?
thank god
we got that
sorted out
says one man
expressing
the general relief
everyone smiles
now at least
we won’t have to travel
among strangers
Economy
If sacrifice is slavery
I am enslaved, my mother
is enslaved; all mothers, and women
the whole world over,
and men, too, all who have learned
love’s secret: enslaved.
A man taught me: love
feeds on giving, grows
not from those gifts received
but from unsounded depths
of a self worn thin
with giving.
What strange economy
where conservation kills
and only spendthrifts thrive.
So much for reasoned laws.
If love is slavery
who’d opt for freedom?
Friday 28 November 2008
Greetings from Raffles
Hello Coastliners,
This is Moi breakfasting in the dining alcove of our suite at Raffles. Himself surprised me by booking the Somerset Maugham Suite,(complete with butler) which although renovated, is still very much in keeping with the late 19th, early 20th century. It is a four room, bungalow style suite. You enter through the parlor, with a dining alcove, then pass through a draped doorway to the huge bedroom complete with ceiling fan, with a desk in one corner, ladies chair in another corner (have taken lots of photos) then into a dressing room and a wonderful marble and tiled bathroom.
I have been writing quite a lot but am in prose mode at present; I did a freefall piece on the first morning with my impressions. I will email this to the group.
Staying here is like stepping back into a gentler, more peaceful way of life. I highly recommend it.
It was good to read Karen's message for Christmas. I have been following her blog and adding comments every now and then.
Will keep in touch; next stop London
Take care all
Tricia
Thursday 27 November 2008
Karen Wants to Be Remembered
Karen has sent us a message:
Miss you all and remember last year's Victorian High Tea Xmas party. Will be thinking of you on 3 December at 12.30 pm.
Karen
And from Me
We all miss you too Karen. Come on over next year. Australia at this point of time is far better in all ways than America. Can and join us and have a break from the ECONOMY!. Come and smell the gum trees....
Coastliners
Miss you all and remember last year's Victorian High Tea Xmas party. Will be thinking of you on 3 December at 12.30 pm.
Karen
And from Me
We all miss you too Karen. Come on over next year. Australia at this point of time is far better in all ways than America. Can and join us and have a break from the ECONOMY!. Come and smell the gum trees....
Coastliners
Hearty congratulations
Annetine,
Congratulations. If at first you don't succeed try and keep trying and you did.
Well done. Now for the rest of the group, go on try and get in just for Xmas. Party and poetry next week.
Love poetry and train poetry.
Cecilia
Congratulations. If at first you don't succeed try and keep trying and you did.
Well done. Now for the rest of the group, go on try and get in just for Xmas. Party and poetry next week.
Love poetry and train poetry.
Cecilia
Wednesday 12 November 2008
December 3 at 12.30 pm
Yes our Xmas lunch is on Wednesday 3 at 12.30 pm at 15 Huntingfield Road Brighton. We will eat, chat, drink, and exchange those books. After which we will read our 'love' poem if we have one. But we will work on the poem for the Literature Festival which will be about being on the 'Sandringham Train Line'. This is somehow miraculously going to bring all our poetic thoughts on trains together and will be read at the Literature festival. So get chugging on this one. Should be fun.
Look Forward To Seeing and Hearing All
Cecilia
Look Forward To Seeing and Hearing All
Cecilia
Tuesday 14 October 2008
Thursday 9 October 2008
An idea for a poetry outing in November: The Victorian Final of the Poetry Slam competition. The two top poets will go to the Sydney Opera House for the final for the chance to win the prize of $5,000. The audience decides who wins. I will phone to see how far in advance we need to book. If anyone is interested in competing, I think you have to qualify through the local rounds. There is one in Mornington, which might be the closest to us. Here is the website address: http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/literary/poetry_slam/
Victorian State Final
State Library of Victoria - Experimedia
328 Swanston St, Melbourne
Thursday 13 November, 6.30pm
Tickets: $12/$10/$8 (full/concession/Library Foundation members)
Drinks available for purchase
Bookings & inquiries: 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Tuesday 7 October 2008
Sunday 5 October 2008
An item of possible interest
Melbourne International Arts Festival presents
Patti Smith & Philip Glass: Dedicated to Allen Ginsberg $75 / $56.25 / $25 / $67.50 groups 8+ WINE & DINE PACKAGES $7 / $25
13 October 2008Two friends come together for a rare and intimate evening of piano and poetry inspired by their passion for the work of seminal beat poet, the late Allen Ginsberg.
I have just noticed it tells you everything but WHERE. I will check my email and get back with the details.
When I checked for detail found more info. The time of show is 8.00pm and location is The Playhouse at the Arts Centre.
Two friends come together for a rare and intimate evening of piano and poetry inspired by their passion for the work of seminal beat poet, the late Allen Ginsberg.A friend and mentor to both Patti Smith and Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg is one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, whose raging verse epitomised the Beat movement in the 1950s. Smith and Glass shepherded Ginsberg through his last rites and, as this event testifies, he remains a strong presence in their lives.
In this moving performance event, Smith reads a selection of Ginsberg's poetry and her own writings about and influenced by him while Philip Glass performs original compositions on solo piano to accompany the poetry.
Smith was a published poet before she ever hit the stage and then, when she did, her early performances were in fact poetry readings with raw musical accompaniment. Along with William Blake, Arthur Rimbaud and William S Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg was a huge creative influence. Smith befriended Ginsberg who had started to explore his own career in music. The two even performed together on occasion. Glass also collaborated closely with the poet on various projects, including the multimedia stage production Hydrogen Jukebox.
Patti Smith & Philip Glass: Dedicated to Allen Ginsberg $75 / $56.25 / $25 / $67.50 groups 8+ WINE & DINE PACKAGES $7 / $25
13 October 2008Two friends come together for a rare and intimate evening of piano and poetry inspired by their passion for the work of seminal beat poet, the late Allen Ginsberg.
I have just noticed it tells you everything but WHERE. I will check my email and get back with the details.
When I checked for detail found more info. The time of show is 8.00pm and location is The Playhouse at the Arts Centre.
Two friends come together for a rare and intimate evening of piano and poetry inspired by their passion for the work of seminal beat poet, the late Allen Ginsberg.A friend and mentor to both Patti Smith and Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg is one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, whose raging verse epitomised the Beat movement in the 1950s. Smith and Glass shepherded Ginsberg through his last rites and, as this event testifies, he remains a strong presence in their lives.
In this moving performance event, Smith reads a selection of Ginsberg's poetry and her own writings about and influenced by him while Philip Glass performs original compositions on solo piano to accompany the poetry.
Smith was a published poet before she ever hit the stage and then, when she did, her early performances were in fact poetry readings with raw musical accompaniment. Along with William Blake, Arthur Rimbaud and William S Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg was a huge creative influence. Smith befriended Ginsberg who had started to explore his own career in music. The two even performed together on occasion. Glass also collaborated closely with the poet on various projects, including the multimedia stage production Hydrogen Jukebox.
Friday 3 October 2008
Cecilia seemed to be interested in publishing avenues, so I thought I would post a couple of links that might be useful.
This is a list of Australian Literary Journals, print and online.
http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/subjects/english/aust/journals.htm
This is an international list of publishers who accept submissions by email.
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/pbonline.html
This is a site I have only found recently. You have to register, but they provide information about journals from around the world, and compile information on response times and acceptance rates.
http://www.duotrope.com/index.aspx
This is a list of Australian Literary Journals, print and online.
http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/plduffyrc/subjects/english/aust/journals.htm
This is an international list of publishers who accept submissions by email.
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/pbonline.html
This is a site I have only found recently. You have to register, but they provide information about journals from around the world, and compile information on response times and acceptance rates.
http://www.duotrope.com/index.aspx
email sent inviting all non listed to join
Hi All
1. I have updated the email list and sent email.
2. set up invitations to join the blog for those not listed
3. Sent email to all on how toset up a google name and password
1. I have updated the email list and sent email.
2. set up invitations to join the blog for those not listed
3. Sent email to all on how toset up a google name and password
Thursday 2 October 2008
working on getting help from Ian to enable you to write in blog.
Okay fellow Coastliners the problem must be solved so that we can have communication between us all. So Ian has put aside tonight to see how to invite you to get on to blog so that you can do a posting and publish on it. Wish us luck.
Good meeting yesterday. Some fairly mad brainstorming. Lots of ideas. Thanks
Cecilia
Good meeting yesterday. Some fairly mad brainstorming. Lots of ideas. Thanks
Cecilia
Tuesday 9 September 2008
CECILIA'S TRAVELS - NOW ITS PRAGUE
Cecilia and Ian have now left Italy for Prague, apparently taking an unscheduled detour via Austria. Not sure what "dumblings" are but four of them looks a lot. When Cecilia gets back I think we should have a "guess her weight" competition .
Tuesday 2 September 2008
NEWS FROM CECILIA
Paris was my most favourite city. ..... the Luxumberg Gardens with statues and fountains and many chairs to sit between avenues of trees. The enourmous scale of these gardens, yet proportionally and affectionaly they invited you to sit and dream. Florence hot 31 degrees and humid but our hotel suite is delightful and we roam around the ancient streets much of the night Hearing music being played or some divine opera piece echoing off the walled streets. Tomorrow we leave for Lake Como. .......... Give everyone my Amora well love anyway and look forward to hearing more from you.
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Kensington Gardens 1966
That morning
the Serpentine held grey shards of sky.
Beneath a steely radiance,
we walked through the dark tracery of trees.
Thoughts, filaments of mist,
trailed about us.
Stones, statues, bridges
were cold, vast chunks
from some huge, shattered berg.
But our words were blown glass
and rang with truth.
Now, if we were to meet again,
we would be strangers -
but for that morning.
© 2008 Geoffrey Dobbs
That morning
the Serpentine held grey shards of sky.
Beneath a steely radiance,
we walked through the dark tracery of trees.
Thoughts, filaments of mist,
trailed about us.
Stones, statues, bridges
were cold, vast chunks
from some huge, shattered berg.
But our words were blown glass
and rang with truth.
Now, if we were to meet again,
we would be strangers -
but for that morning.
© 2008 Geoffrey Dobbs
RESPONSE POEMS by Jeff Klooger
Two poems by Jeff Klooger written in response to Michael Leunig's poem "You can lead a horse to water...":
You can lead a horse to water
But you can't make it cheerful;
The bucket is full
But the horse is tearful,
So you give it a loving earful:
"What's up, old fellah?" you say.
He looks at you and turns away.
Of course.
The dear old inner horse.
Where We Are Going
Seduction works better than instruction,
better than simple optimism, which was and is as much of a load
as one creature could possibly hope to carry.
Even as we wish otherwise, the future happens,
drawing us into its net of promises, leading us
jaw agape, our whole world trembling in anticipation.
Though we are all broken - hearted, our salty tears
console somehow, and so we cry
all the way into tomorrow. In that darkness
we discover death, a secret beyond us. We glance, longing,
at the source of all questions, then off
to the place where answers are born, so far
and yet close enough to whisper
a thin message, its hot breath tickling our earlobes.
Yes, there is a cause, a thorn we each carry.
In the red room, where it is always night,
familiar monsters play their games of murder,
while we compose confessions, inventing truths
we almost dare to believe, but never really learn.
Bedlam or Parnassus
Deliberate emotions always elude you, leave you
lost and oceanic. You slop around
in that still private tempest, hugging
the surface of things. Self - diagnosis is
like superstition, a necessary evil.
Though tender words can sometimes soothe
they do not heal. Tonight again you know
the wordless sorrow of beasts, ungoverned,
inconsolable, mad. In that kingdom you can never reach
creatures half fish and half fowl
cavort together, devour their own children,
make merry while the earth heaves up its bile.
You can lead a horse to water
But you can't make it cheerful;
The bucket is full
But the horse is tearful,
So you give it a loving earful:
"What's up, old fellah?" you say.
He looks at you and turns away.
Of course.
The dear old inner horse.
Where We Are Going
Seduction works better than instruction,
better than simple optimism, which was and is as much of a load
as one creature could possibly hope to carry.
Even as we wish otherwise, the future happens,
drawing us into its net of promises, leading us
jaw agape, our whole world trembling in anticipation.
Though we are all broken - hearted, our salty tears
console somehow, and so we cry
all the way into tomorrow. In that darkness
we discover death, a secret beyond us. We glance, longing,
at the source of all questions, then off
to the place where answers are born, so far
and yet close enough to whisper
a thin message, its hot breath tickling our earlobes.
Yes, there is a cause, a thorn we each carry.
In the red room, where it is always night,
familiar monsters play their games of murder,
while we compose confessions, inventing truths
we almost dare to believe, but never really learn.
Bedlam or Parnassus
Deliberate emotions always elude you, leave you
lost and oceanic. You slop around
in that still private tempest, hugging
the surface of things. Self - diagnosis is
like superstition, a necessary evil.
Though tender words can sometimes soothe
they do not heal. Tonight again you know
the wordless sorrow of beasts, ungoverned,
inconsolable, mad. In that kingdom you can never reach
creatures half fish and half fowl
cavort together, devour their own children,
make merry while the earth heaves up its bile.
last week's meeting
Thanks to all who came along last week - it was a lively gathering! We had apologies from Margaret, Mary, Susie, Tricia, and the adventurous Annetine of course who is somewhere in a desert.
There were some very interesting readings, including a couple of "response poems" from Dave and Jeff ( Jeff's are on the blog, or will be very shortly), as well as a beautiful work by Sandra. Pete delivered a "work in progress" that ignited a heated discussion on the appropriateness (or otherwise) of using the term "bitch". The debate split along gender lines, with the males claiming poetic licence. (We would, wouldn't we?)
Can I suggest that in Cecilia's absence we put our works on the blog for her to read? I'll put mine and Jeff's on - Sandra, Pete and Dave please add yours too if you want to , or you can send them to me if you can't access the blog.
Re publication of poems on the blog - Jeff has raised the interesting question as to whether blog publication is counted by journals seeking "unpublished" work. Our feeling was that putting a poem on our blog doesn't count as publication, as the blog is not readily accessible to the public but we're not really sure. Does anyone know the answer? I do know that anything you write on a blog is automatically copyrighted.
Our discussion of possible group outings produced some good ideas: VWC readings, Glenfern Poetry Centre readings, the Melbourne Writers Festival, and the events and venues to be found on "Pam's Poetry Pitch". There were also some suggestions for poetry journals that could be a source of information on upcoming events ( see below). Also, the Channel 31 poetry programme "Red Lobster", worth watching (if you can get Ch 31).
Victorian Writers Centre: http://www.writers-centre.org/
Melbourne Writers Festival: http://www.mwf.com.au/2008/content/mwf_2008_home.asp?name=Home
Pam's Poetry Pitch: http://pamspoetrypitchblog.blogspot.com/
Zest: an emagazine published by the Australian Poetry Centre but now available only to members - the archive editions may be available though.: http://www.australianpoetrycentre.org.au/
Red Lobster:http://redlobster.davidmcl.id.au/
Currajah ( poetry weblog): http://www.walleahpress.com.au/b25/
I suggest that we all review these sites and put together a shortlist of events that we would like to attend. If you want to, email suggestions to me in Cecilia's absence.
There were some very interesting readings, including a couple of "response poems" from Dave and Jeff ( Jeff's are on the blog, or will be very shortly), as well as a beautiful work by Sandra. Pete delivered a "work in progress" that ignited a heated discussion on the appropriateness (or otherwise) of using the term "bitch". The debate split along gender lines, with the males claiming poetic licence. (We would, wouldn't we?)
Can I suggest that in Cecilia's absence we put our works on the blog for her to read? I'll put mine and Jeff's on - Sandra, Pete and Dave please add yours too if you want to , or you can send them to me if you can't access the blog.
Re publication of poems on the blog - Jeff has raised the interesting question as to whether blog publication is counted by journals seeking "unpublished" work. Our feeling was that putting a poem on our blog doesn't count as publication, as the blog is not readily accessible to the public but we're not really sure. Does anyone know the answer? I do know that anything you write on a blog is automatically copyrighted.
Our discussion of possible group outings produced some good ideas: VWC readings, Glenfern Poetry Centre readings, the Melbourne Writers Festival, and the events and venues to be found on "Pam's Poetry Pitch". There were also some suggestions for poetry journals that could be a source of information on upcoming events ( see below). Also, the Channel 31 poetry programme "Red Lobster", worth watching (if you can get Ch 31).
Victorian Writers Centre: http://www.writers-centre.org/
Melbourne Writers Festival: http://www.mwf.com.au/2008/content/mwf_2008_home.asp?name=Home
Pam's Poetry Pitch: http://pamspoetrypitchblog.blogspot.com/
Zest: an emagazine published by the Australian Poetry Centre but now available only to members - the archive editions may be available though.: http://www.australianpoetrycentre.org.au/
Red Lobster:http://redlobster.davidmcl.id.au/
Currajah ( poetry weblog): http://www.walleahpress.com.au/b25/
I suggest that we all review these sites and put together a shortlist of events that we would like to attend. If you want to, email suggestions to me in Cecilia's absence.
Friday 25 July 2008
7 sleeps till the 1st August then the trip of a lifetime
Hello Coast Liners
I thought I would post a poem before leaving in the hope of urging you to post a short poem on the blog in my absence and I can read them when away. Taking computer
Remember the stone I gave you well this is what came from my stone.
Stone Country
Dream filled now
lost to deserted houses
but stones persist
each one carries a story.
Alone in the dust
lies a large rough stone
black with rage
it rolls its roughened tongue
towards the empty cave
yearns for the heat of fire.
Lost Childhood
Hop scotched chalked on the path
her turn next.
She plays alone,
throws the stone
hears footsteps.
He throws a stone
hands her a clinker chocolate
'just like your stone' he says.
She follows
holding the smoothness of chocolate.
Now meetings will continue as usual. And I am leaving next Friday 1 August and returning on 17 September. So I will be ready to hear your poetry in October and will miss meeting you for the two meetings. I do so enjoy our time together.
Happy Creativity
Poetically
Cecilia
I thought I would post a poem before leaving in the hope of urging you to post a short poem on the blog in my absence and I can read them when away. Taking computer
Remember the stone I gave you well this is what came from my stone.
Stone Country
Dream filled now
lost to deserted houses
but stones persist
each one carries a story.
Alone in the dust
lies a large rough stone
black with rage
it rolls its roughened tongue
towards the empty cave
yearns for the heat of fire.
Lost Childhood
Hop scotched chalked on the path
her turn next.
She plays alone,
throws the stone
hears footsteps.
He throws a stone
hands her a clinker chocolate
'just like your stone' he says.
She follows
holding the smoothness of chocolate.
Now meetings will continue as usual. And I am leaving next Friday 1 August and returning on 17 September. So I will be ready to hear your poetry in October and will miss meeting you for the two meetings. I do so enjoy our time together.
Happy Creativity
Poetically
Cecilia
Wednesday 7 May 2008
A NAME & A SEASON
Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions today - I've revised "Autumn in Melbourne". As well as changing the title I've cut out a number of lines. I've italicized "autumn " in line 17 in the hope that the word will look incongruous in the context of the poem - not sure if that works though. What do you think?
A NAME AND A SEASON
Think of an aged politician,
scuttling through corridors,
winding soon to death.
And a city, on the dark side of the world,
corroding river, trees and people,
named after him.
There hard – edged men,
shed them from the stony flanks of a harsh land,
glare straight and far ahead,
impatient to launch across the distant ranges
a vast, grey, bleating army.
So the place is branded with a cringing name,
and trees bronzed as lifesavers now parade streets
that smother fat eels and flowering manna gums.
Dead leaves scuttle
where soft fern fronds silently unfurled
and autumn’s dry death – rattle sounds
where wombats grazed and lyrebirds danced.
Only Lo – an Tuka, the Hunter, unknown,
gleams still at day’s dark edge.
Thursday 17 April 2008
Sunday 13 April 2008
Federation Square first public performance
Congratulations to all the Coast Liners. The first public performance was marvellous. You read splendidly and looked handsome. It was a well polished program. Now we are launched to go public, our next performance at the Literary festival is already rehearsed. Bravo to you all. And thank you for overcoming your fears and anxieties, which some of you had in the beginning and you overcame them and now you can be proud.
Next meeting will be a one hour with Jonathon helping us to learn even more and one devoted to your poetry. So try and bring along another poem. Be interesting to see if you could write something about yesterday at Federation Square. Any angle you like from the building, birds, books, Melbourne or performing.
Cecilia
Next meeting will be a one hour with Jonathon helping us to learn even more and one devoted to your poetry. So try and bring along another poem. Be interesting to see if you could write something about yesterday at Federation Square. Any angle you like from the building, birds, books, Melbourne or performing.
Cecilia
Friday 28 March 2008
Poetry at Fedsquare
I attended the March program at Federation Square, along with Geoffrey and June. In celebration of International Women's Day the performers were all women. For me it was an eclectic, thought provoking, at times moving experience. Some singing, guitar playing, poems read in English, then read in French, others read in English and Dutch.
Lea Hills, the co-initiator and co-editor of Moving Galleries, read some of the Haiku's among them one of Suzanne McCourt's. Lea also mentioned that Moving Galleries is after more little snippets, not necessarily Haiku, for their ongoing poetry section. Something for any interested Coastliners to think about.
I have been in contact with Lella, who co-ordinates the poetry@fedsquare programs and Coast Lines will open the April program. We have been alloted an hour, roughly 5 minutes per person but if we want more time Lella is open to this, I just have to let her know ASAP before she finalises the program.
The venue is Jolimont Espresso Cafe, The Atrium, Federation Square, start time 2.00pm, finish time 4.00pm, date Saturday 12th April.
There are plenty of eateries around so if any want to kick on afterwards there will be plenty of choice. There is a beer specialist place opposite Joilmont Espresso, the name of which escapes me because my memory is a sometimes thing these days, it also serves wine I hasten to add for the Vino lovers amongst us. The thing Rod and I really enjoy is their wonderful Tapas selection, succulent squid, glazed quail, crumbed olives, mini Peking duck pancakes, to mention just a few.
Look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday
Tricia
Lea Hills, the co-initiator and co-editor of Moving Galleries, read some of the Haiku's among them one of Suzanne McCourt's. Lea also mentioned that Moving Galleries is after more little snippets, not necessarily Haiku, for their ongoing poetry section. Something for any interested Coastliners to think about.
I have been in contact with Lella, who co-ordinates the poetry@fedsquare programs and Coast Lines will open the April program. We have been alloted an hour, roughly 5 minutes per person but if we want more time Lella is open to this, I just have to let her know ASAP before she finalises the program.
The venue is Jolimont Espresso Cafe, The Atrium, Federation Square, start time 2.00pm, finish time 4.00pm, date Saturday 12th April.
There are plenty of eateries around so if any want to kick on afterwards there will be plenty of choice. There is a beer specialist place opposite Joilmont Espresso, the name of which escapes me because my memory is a sometimes thing these days, it also serves wine I hasten to add for the Vino lovers amongst us. The thing Rod and I really enjoy is their wonderful Tapas selection, succulent squid, glazed quail, crumbed olives, mini Peking duck pancakes, to mention just a few.
Look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday
Tricia
Friday 29 February 2008
Bundanon Poetry Workshop, January, 08
Hi everyone,
I'm sorry I can't get to meetings this year - from the blog I can see you're having a great time - and I miss it.
I promised some of you information about the Bundanon Workshop that I attended in January. It was totally inspirational and I would urge people to apply for the next one. You're meant to have a book of poems published, but I was selected on ten pages of poems - and there were others attending who had not published a book.
There were 20 participants with four established poets as lecturers/tutors - Jennifer Harrison (love her poetry and a wonderfully generous person), Ron Pretty - also very helpful and generous), Susan Hampton and Michael Sharkey.
Normally this workshop is run at Wollongong Uni (and it may return there next year - I don't think it's been decided yet) - we were so lucky in being able to stay on the Boyd property in an amazing Murcott designed complex with Boyd paintings in our rooms and magnificent views over the Shoalhaven River. As a result, my poetry was heavily influenced by Boyd's work and I have become fascinated by the strength and diversity of his art.
It was an eight day workshop. Each day began with workshopping poems we'd brought with us - or new ones if we'd written any - five students/one tutor. After morning tea, we had a lecture - interesting topics - Cliche/Repetition/Surrealism. After lunch a seminar where we worked on the lecture topic in a practical form. We had from 4.00 - 7.00 off each day when we wrote, walked, swam or rested. At night we had structured readings - our own poetry - or the tutors read from their current works - or we shared our favourite poems.
For me, it was inspirational in every way but particularly in meeting so many wonderful poets, having my mind stretched in so many directions, in the friendships and contacts made. It took quite a while to come back to the real world. If anyone would like further info, give me a call on 9592 2523. Hope to see you at Fed Square.
Suzanne
I'm sorry I can't get to meetings this year - from the blog I can see you're having a great time - and I miss it.
I promised some of you information about the Bundanon Workshop that I attended in January. It was totally inspirational and I would urge people to apply for the next one. You're meant to have a book of poems published, but I was selected on ten pages of poems - and there were others attending who had not published a book.
There were 20 participants with four established poets as lecturers/tutors - Jennifer Harrison (love her poetry and a wonderfully generous person), Ron Pretty - also very helpful and generous), Susan Hampton and Michael Sharkey.
Normally this workshop is run at Wollongong Uni (and it may return there next year - I don't think it's been decided yet) - we were so lucky in being able to stay on the Boyd property in an amazing Murcott designed complex with Boyd paintings in our rooms and magnificent views over the Shoalhaven River. As a result, my poetry was heavily influenced by Boyd's work and I have become fascinated by the strength and diversity of his art.
It was an eight day workshop. Each day began with workshopping poems we'd brought with us - or new ones if we'd written any - five students/one tutor. After morning tea, we had a lecture - interesting topics - Cliche/Repetition/Surrealism. After lunch a seminar where we worked on the lecture topic in a practical form. We had from 4.00 - 7.00 off each day when we wrote, walked, swam or rested. At night we had structured readings - our own poetry - or the tutors read from their current works - or we shared our favourite poems.
For me, it was inspirational in every way but particularly in meeting so many wonderful poets, having my mind stretched in so many directions, in the friendships and contacts made. It took quite a while to come back to the real world. If anyone would like further info, give me a call on 9592 2523. Hope to see you at Fed Square.
Suzanne
Poetry at Fedsquare
I have been following up on the poetry at Federation Square and as a result the members of Coast Lines have been invited to read/perform their poetry as part of the April program. The woman who organises these monthly readings would like me to send some examples of our work and have a time frame for our reading as there is a schedule to follow.
The first hour will be talk/reading from one or two established poets or the works of chosen poets and the second hour can be all Coast Lines if we so wish, (10 five minute readings by each member)
If you are interested could you either email me a poem or bring a copy to our meeting next Wednesday. I need to get back to Lella asap because if we don't want the hour, she needs to organise to fill it some other way.
Details are Saturday April 12th in the Atrium at Federation Square from 2.oopm to 4.oopm. Also any who have produced books of poetry are encouraged to bring them and they will be promoted during the program.
See you Wednesday
Tricia
The first hour will be talk/reading from one or two established poets or the works of chosen poets and the second hour can be all Coast Lines if we so wish, (10 five minute readings by each member)
If you are interested could you either email me a poem or bring a copy to our meeting next Wednesday. I need to get back to Lella asap because if we don't want the hour, she needs to organise to fill it some other way.
Details are Saturday April 12th in the Atrium at Federation Square from 2.oopm to 4.oopm. Also any who have produced books of poetry are encouraged to bring them and they will be promoted during the program.
See you Wednesday
Tricia
Thursday 21 February 2008
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Monday 18 February 2008
Still thinking about the riddle Cecilia -is it connected to Reconciliation, Apology Day...? Clearly a nasty business anyway....
Here are some thoughts stimulated by Tricia and Karen's poems:
Here are some thoughts stimulated by Tricia and Karen's poems:
MONDAY MORNING
Wake to magpie chortles,
duet of doves
And sun dappled ceiling.
Get up?
No. think -
Shower, dress
Empty dishwasher
Breakfast: prepare, eat, clean – up
Bathroom: clean
Vacuum cleaner: drag around house like fat puppy
Garden: sweep leaves
Lunch: prepare, eat, clean up
Gutters: check
Sweep leaves
Sweep leaves
Sweep leaves
Dinner: prepare, eat, clean - up
Dear God!
No wonder so many of us die in bed!
Sunday 17 February 2008
have a guess
Well done Geoffrey. The poem reads wonderfully. Photographs give the acute sense of time, place and mystery. And what a full explanation to answer the query. Can you bring along hard copy of this in case members are not on the blog.
Karen, you inspired me to write a riddle. Open to all what am I talking about?
Here it is -
Elephant in the Room
Poised, elegant, taking
a lengthy swan dive
softening into a rising bubble
hitting hard, now awash with
blood, carnage left, stunned
but not for long,
now rampaging everywhere
big, black and biting
horrified impotence
history convulses
the knife is set to cut
poised it now spreads poison.
Cecilia - Okay what is this about?
Karen, you inspired me to write a riddle. Open to all what am I talking about?
Here it is -
Elephant in the Room
Poised, elegant, taking
a lengthy swan dive
softening into a rising bubble
hitting hard, now awash with
blood, carnage left, stunned
but not for long,
now rampaging everywhere
big, black and biting
horrified impotence
history convulses
the knife is set to cut
poised it now spreads poison.
Cecilia - Okay what is this about?
Friday 15 February 2008
A poem to share...
Tricia's poem reminded me of one I wrote a couple years ago.
How Busy Am I?
Herds of dust bunnies galloping in plain sight busy
write your name on top of the dresser busy
make a wig from bathtub hair busy
climb blue -bagged newspapers like stairs busy
scuffed shirts, stained shoes and
unwashed dishes under the bed busy
alien creatures in a beer-less fridge
volcano of laundry erupting from basement busy.
You say, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.
I say, How Many Books Have You Read Today?
Karen
How Busy Am I?
Herds of dust bunnies galloping in plain sight busy
write your name on top of the dresser busy
make a wig from bathtub hair busy
climb blue -bagged newspapers like stairs busy
scuffed shirts, stained shoes and
unwashed dishes under the bed busy
alien creatures in a beer-less fridge
volcano of laundry erupting from basement busy.
You say, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.
I say, How Many Books Have You Read Today?
Karen
Wednesday 13 February 2008
I was very sorry that I had to miss our first meeting but thank you all for your comments on “Mulka’s Cave”, which June kindly read for me. I’ve made some changes to the poem and hopefully I have managed to improve it!
The feelings and thoughts that gave rise to “Mulka’sCave” are not particularly original but to me they are very poignant. The cave was one of two or three places that I’ve visited in
what I have seen and read, however naïve their beliefs may appear to us, they
did not fall into the error of thinking that they were separate from the natural world or superior to it – let alone thinking that they were in some way ”in charge” of it!
MULKA'S CAVE
stripped, exposed
and violated.
Gaping nakedly.
We hesitate, peering in -
embarrassed, maybe by such simplicity
seeing prints of hands – and nothing more.
What brought them to this place?
Who were the last man and child,
to fill their mouths with thick, sour ochre
And lifting up their hands
spray their presence on this rock?
Lost, the memory, and the meaning.
Lost, the joy of man and child, hand in hand,
flesh and bones breathing in the sun,
blood beating through ancient veins
as they breathed at one the with sheltering trees
and winds’ sigh.
Dingoes stripped and scattered their bones
trees drank their sap,
ants devoured their last fragments
and no trace left but the handprints,
only the handprints.
And a vacancy – an eternal absence,
a gap in nature.
Turning our backs, we return along the metal ramp,
past the felled trees and the toilet block,
to the souvenir shop, Made in
and the bistro, offering Mediterranean Cuisine.
Wednesday 23 January 2008
Sonnet from December and reminder of first meeting
Happy New Year to all Coast Liners.
Our first meeting Wednesday 6 February at 10.30 am. Karen has made suggestions in her blog of some ideas which arise from her poem. So you could choose one word, the lot or whatever and wherever fancy takes you.
Do bring along a poem for our first meeting. It is going to be a great year with the literary festival well under way in planning. I will be able to show you the program when we meet.
Any ideas for our year together whether in outings, for example going to theatre, or visiting speakers etc.
Bring paper and pen to meeting so we can have some fun and creativity whilst together.
The World Is Too Much With Us Late and Soon
(Apologies to William Wordsworth)
The world is too much global now and soon
Acquiring has spread we loose our power
Of this our natural world by lengthy hour
Our spirit cold we now lie close to ruin
Land tired fallow by an ocean full of gloom
Politicians do not promise words now ceased
Too late beached whales no longer any feast
Religions do not matter since left in doom
Love not captured in this airless drought
You sit there and lecture innane words to me
And so we continue to fight and shout
To keep alive in any way we can foresee
Maybe the next of kin will bring new light
So mankind can begin another world with more insight.
Cecilia Morris
Our first meeting Wednesday 6 February at 10.30 am. Karen has made suggestions in her blog of some ideas which arise from her poem. So you could choose one word, the lot or whatever and wherever fancy takes you.
Do bring along a poem for our first meeting. It is going to be a great year with the literary festival well under way in planning. I will be able to show you the program when we meet.
Any ideas for our year together whether in outings, for example going to theatre, or visiting speakers etc.
Bring paper and pen to meeting so we can have some fun and creativity whilst together.
The World Is Too Much With Us Late and Soon
(Apologies to William Wordsworth)
The world is too much global now and soon
Acquiring has spread we loose our power
Of this our natural world by lengthy hour
Our spirit cold we now lie close to ruin
Land tired fallow by an ocean full of gloom
Politicians do not promise words now ceased
Too late beached whales no longer any feast
Religions do not matter since left in doom
Love not captured in this airless drought
You sit there and lecture innane words to me
And so we continue to fight and shout
To keep alive in any way we can foresee
Maybe the next of kin will bring new light
So mankind can begin another world with more insight.
Cecilia Morris
Tuesday 22 January 2008
Found Poem
From our apartment, I can see the dock where visiting boats dock for the weekend. Saturday morning I got up and looked at their names:
First Light
Second Wind
Obsession
Bad Influence
I think this is almost a found poem! For Feb, I thought I'd share these phrases. If you are so inclined, feel free to use one or all!
First Light
Second Wind
Obsession
Bad Influence
I think this is almost a found poem! For Feb, I thought I'd share these phrases. If you are so inclined, feel free to use one or all!
Sunday 6 January 2008
Meeting with Uncle Ern,
on the occasion of Dad's wake
Let us not Pussyfoot around with the human condition,
Let us be Full and Frank, Ernest.
Felicitations on your Eightieth,
Commiserations on the loss of your Brother
I knew him only a little , a wisp of a benign presence,
hiding behind the Paper with his Gallon of tepid Tea,
betraying his wringing inards only rarely
with the odd flash of a steely stern stare,
maintaining his phony Anglophilia to a Tee
a grunt. Sporadic passive engagement,
or mildly supportive wheezes as he puffed away
Come on, Dad give me something ,
give me a sign that you care.
That I mean something to you
Let me in
Mean something to me
How did you know him, Well? ...
WELL!?
I put it to you that you did'nt know him at all
I put it to you that you do not know yourself.
What Happens to people?
What mystery lurks, when..
fears freeze,
embittered lusts fester,
needs unmet return to plague the naif ,
jealousies denied haunt their kneejerk defences at every Tick...
potential untapped ....dies on the vine
Let us not treat our memories like fine- boned China
Let us reveal ourselves, unfold,
admit,, celebrate our nature, it's many parts,
show as it were, what Man can be without shame.
Confess ,.... 290276nh0-2jv45ymcgryaeiou84qct= `
pqskd29.3x]i.0-,9050-862=c,y-1`c,10y1`,9i!!!!!!!!!!
For Fuck's sake Ernie show yourself!
Say something, Be someone,
Mean something to me.
Jonathon Lee
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