This is a section for poetry and poets and includes many full recitations and performances of poetry works.
DAVID HALLETT - Out of the Blue
David Hallett is one of Australia's premier performance poets and has been writing and performing poetry since the 1970's. Here are two gems 'The Bubble' and 'Poetry Bay'.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
ERIK JENSEN - I Said the Sea was Folded
This is a beautiful collection of love poems dedicated to Erik's partner, that grapples with the complexity of understanding between two people. There are five poems: Breathing; Spare Tickets; Cabbages; At Lunch; Listening.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2022
JASON JOHN - I'm Not a Racist But... (I've got a racist Butt!)
Jason John is a pastor who writes prose and poetry.
Here are some of his poems from this title and also from his book 'Secret, Sacred Stories'. Must make for fun in his congregations!
'C Word'
Sexual Harassment Committee
NAM LE - 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem
This novel is one long prose poem divided into 36 smaller 'poems'. They are punchy, wry and solemn - meditations on life and relationships. Here Nam Le reads two of them beautifully.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2024
Chris Mansell
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Recorded at Kyogle Writers Festival 2022
JOEL McKERROW - Hollowed Out Lungs
Joel is a performance poet and author who is passionate about introducing young people ( and older!) to the reality and power of poetry.
Here is a great delivery of one of his favourite pieces.
Recorded at Storyfest 2022
OMAR BIN MUSA - Here Come the Dogs
Bushfire is a feared event in Australia and unfortunately all too common. Here is a gripping account of the devastation wrought by fire - delivered in Omar’s urgent style which heightens the drama of the prose.
Recorded at Sydney Writers Festival 2016
Richard Tipping
Richard Tipping is a poet, artist, and graphic artist. His words appear on paper in many books and publications, but also appear as thought provoking signs in public spaces. Here are four poems from him :Soft Riots, Mangoes, Deep Water and Beyond 2020
Recorded at Kyogle Writers Festival 2022
ELLEN VAN NEERVEN -Personal Score: Sport, Culture and Identity
Blending cultural studies, memoir and poetry to explore the troubled nexus between race, gender and sexuality, Ellen uses sport as an example to effect change towards these issues . An award winning First Nations author, this is her first non-fiction book.
Recorded at Byron Writers Festival 2023
MEGAN WYNNE-JONES -Speak it like a river
Megan Wynne-Jones reads three poems from her collection 'Speak it Like a River'. The book is delightfully filled with sketches, collages and photo montages which sometimes relate to her poems other times are just flights of her imagination. The images were all produced by her and even her children!
Recorded at Studio 3 Bangalow 2024