I STILL DREAM OF HORSES

 

 

 

 

I Still Dream of Horses: A girl, her horse and the stories of their lives (RRP $18.95. hb. 200pp. 2020) by Binalong’s Leanne Heffernan is a memoir you will gallop through.

 

Consuela, an 18 year-old appaloosa mare, takes us from the day she was purchased for fourteen year-old Leanne through all the twists and turns of her long life. Her memories include the joys of her young owner and her horse loving friends, horsie friendships and the bitie politics of public agistment, and new animal friends including a moppity clydie and a crazy Billygoat. There is a myriad of challenges and changes for both Consuela and Leanne as time goes on but their love for each other never sways. Consuela spends a lot of her time in Canberra allotments but eventually heads for regional fields and finally Binalong itself.

 

Saw a notice for this book on the Binalong Post Office notice board just recently. I wouldn’t have paid much attention to it as our horse days are long behind us — yes we did do the pony club thing with the kids and had a couple of beautiful Clydesdales at one time. Except that … another Binalong author? Stage left to Bill Kosseris’ wee shop! ‘Thought I should buy this book Bill as it’s a Binalong author.’ ‘Oh yes,’ he says, and in the way of small towns, ‘she lives up there in so and so’s house …’ Houses are not placed by their addresses but by their histories. My new neighbour! All the more reason to check this book out.

 

I’m not sure what the target market is. I’m thinking it’s a book for teens — if they can wrestle it off their mums first  But then again it was highly recommended by a younger discerning reader in Bill’s shop at the time. Thank you Ella — you were right — I Still Dream of Horses is a REALLY good book. Keep the tissues handy but be prepared for a good chuckle too. An un-put-downable memoir with a difference.

 

If you are not near Binalong in the Yass Valley, NSW, you can also order from the author (add $6.95 p&p) via https://www.istilldreamofhorses.com/buy-now Amazon has paperback and kindle versions and by the way says it is for ten year-olds to adults. Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Dream-Horses-Leanne-Heffernan-ebook/dp/B08L8VV6F8

 

If you are in the area why not make Binalong your next country delight. 

 

PS Apologies Leanne for my sloppy photo

THREE POETRY ANTHOLOGIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are three of this year’s anthology releases and I’m thrilled to have a poem in each of them: Anthology of Australian Prose Poetry (MUP, eds. Cassandra Atherton & Paul Hetherington, RRP $39.99 pb, 232 pp), Australian Poetry Anthology, Volume 8/2020 (Australian Poetry Inc, eds. Sara Saleh & Melinda Smith), These Strange Outcrops: Writing and Art from Canberra (Cicerone Journal, RRP $10). Belated thanks and congratulations to all the editors. See the links for more information including how to buy.

 

If you'd like to know more about Canberra's iconic Cummings bus shelters (featured on the cover of These Strange Outcrops) visit Capital History Here. I used them on occasion — and got a poem or two — but mostly I saw them in passing as my Yass-based Transborder bus tootled through the ACT dropping us regional commuters off at key work spots. Also remembering now how much we all valued our Transborder drivers (I'm talking 1990s) — they were mates. Also remembering the day I could NOT stop coughing! Driver John handed  a Soother to the passenger in the front seat and it was handed along until it reached me, and I discovered Soothers really do work just like on the ads. Who'd have thought ...

 

 

POKING AT POETRY

 

 

 

 

Every now and then I poke at a filing drawer, a bundle, a stack, hoping it will magically shapeshift into an organized archive-worthy file. Doesn’t happen. At the moment I’m in nondescript early manuscripts. I’m talking 1990s. There’s the poem faded from memory, fade of dot matrix printing, the greater and more literal fade of correspondence on fax paper (I worked around librarians just long enough to know better), the correspondence that I hope has faded from the memories of the recipients.

 

People were so kind. ‘It seems cruel to write, returning your poetry manuscript …’ says one. ‘The poems to which I responded happily … … I feel ashamed of not doing you any good ...’ says another. ‘… it is not much help to say that the poems are fresh, alive and most unusual. However: quote me!’ Kind and generous. Sensitive.

 

Me? I’m grateful. Grateful these poetry editors took the time at all to read these premature and immature attempts. To let me down so gently that … I would then have the cheek and naivety to send them another! Poor bastards. I could be mightily embarrassed. But they helped me keep going and I have done alright. I’ve also had immeasurable pleasure. Not only from writing itself but from related activities and friendships.

  

I once had the opportunity to thank a poetry editor in person. I saw Judith Rodriguez sitting quietly by herself in a café during a literary festival. I wonder if it was in Melbourne? I had the great juggle in my head: is she needing space; is another bloody poet pestering her the last thing she needs; there might be a chance for a conversation with a great; I could at least say thank you. I said thank you. She didn’t seem to mind. I buzzed off quickly … it was a bit like a swatted blowfly impersonation.

 

Okay, back to poking old poetry …

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSE

 

Found poem

FROG, COVID, EVENTS

 

 

Back again. COVID-19 got to me (and family health stuff) — scatter-brain scatter-gun skitter-scatter — but somehow a manuscript eventually off to a publisher and a new manuscript concept hovering. Still visiting that lake (in Belconnen) watching the birds. At home (Binalong) recording and identifying frogs. No I don't normally capture them — this little fella just wandered inside. Quickly returned to the outers.

A couple of events:

That Poetry Thing is now a hybrid, live at Smith's Alternative/Zoom event. Triple launch — Dolan, Smith, Strange on September 21. Go to their FB and website pages for bookings advice (strict seatings) and Zoom links (do duck in). Congratulations and thanks go to the dedicated and persistent Thing Team.

A Brush with Poetry will Zoom on Sunday September 27 at 2 pm. Shared mike open style event. Zoom link on the Binalong Arts Group FB page. Congratulations and thanks go to the dedicated and persistent Robyn Sykes, Binalong's champion bush/spoken word poet.

A BRUSH WITH POETRY ZOOM

[Poetry in the air]

Don't Be Live Poetry Deprived 5: Sunday May 31 at 2.00 pm. Even tiny Binalong is joining the international poetry zoom craze thanks to Coordinator Robyn Sykes, with the support of Southern Tablelands Arts. A Brush with Poetry is an eclectic mix of poetry styles, readings and recitals from free verse to tanka to traditional Australian narratives. Music and song also welcome and sometimes that happens. Usually at Café on Queen (currently takeaway only) on the last Sunday of odd months Brush is taking to the air. See you there (and back at the Queen post-pandemic).

Go to the Binalong Arts Group Inc Facebook page on Saturday for the Zoom link.

(Zoom is quite easy. Download the app on to your computer or other device from zoom.us At the scheduled time just click on the link supplied which will take you to the Brush 'meeting.' You'll see a message telling you the host will let you in asap. Then suddenly — voila!)

DON'T BE LIVE POETRY DEPRIVED 4

Stepping across the way to New Zealand for a moment — many thanks to the NZ Poetry Society for their list of online NZ and world events and opportunities.

Here’s a couple of events: 

TODAY! Wairarapa Word's online open mike is on Sunday May 17 at 3 pm NZT. You will find the Zoom link here. Seems to be an open invitation.

Poetry at Your Place (includes poetry, spoken word, music, art) from Wellington on Zoom and Facebook. Sundays 7.30 pm NZT. Poetry Slam at Your Place on what might be alternate weeks I think. 

The House is Open (music, theatre, poems) from Wellington on Zoom Fridays 8 pm NZT. Cost $10 (family/household) ticket to help pay the NZ and OS artists. See Facebook for event details. 

NB Go to the event's website or Facebook for more information including where to find the Zoom link for the individual online happening — it's a new link each time. The link will take you straight there and the host will click you in as soon as they get a chance. 

Check out the NZPS international poetry competition while you are in their website. Closing soon. 

STILL WATCHING THE LAKE

Watching the lake changing Ripples Bird wing shapes Diamonds like leadlight window panes Now short dashes the lake hyphenating reeds and rocks on its foreshore I am directly opposite a tree on the far shore its multiple trunks silver smooth against the dark of the trees behind It's a surprise to me my eye usually drawn away by walkers following a different track The ducklings are thriving how they love water can’t wait to get back into it (May 15)

I am glad for disinfected shopping trolleys and petrol pumps wiped eftpos machines people not walking up your back in shopping malls men not standing shoulder to big shoulder blocking every path and view

DON'T BE LIVE POETRY DEPRIVED 3

 

CULTIVATING VOICES — LIVE POETRY OPEN MIC Sunday MAY 10 via US

 

If you missed the Cultivating Voices — Live Poetry Open Mic on Sunday May 3, the good news is that recordings of the featured poets are still on Facebook. Well worth a visit as it includes a number of Irish poets not only reading their own work but celebrating the late and great Eavan Boland. Just wonderful. 

More good news is there will be another Open Mike on May 10. Please visit Cultivating Voices’ Facebook page for times (BST — GREENWICH MEANTIME+1 — er no I don’t understand that from an Australian perspective yet) on the Thursday before. You’ll also find instructions there should you wish to sign up to read. In the meantime you are welcome to post on the FB page and be part of an ongoing dialogue. 

Hosts are Elizabeth Ann Yannone and Sandra Yannone whose debut collection Boats for Women is published by Salmon Poetry. I hope to be there one day. The growing  interconnectedness of poetry online in response to COVID-19 is heart warming and exciting. Great thanks to all those poets organizing live streams through FB, Zoom etc.

 

DON'T BE LIVE POETRY DEPRIVED 2

LIVE STREAM VERSES Monday May 4 via Melbourne

Monday seems a popular night for readings. Live-Stream Verses: an MSW live-streamed open mic is on Monday, May 4 @ 6:00 pm and every fortnight, via Zoom. It is broadcast to Twitch TV @ http://twitch.tv/melbspokenword. Register here to perform: https://www.trybooking.com/BJLFF Melbourne Spoken Word says: MSW wants to bring the spoken word community in Melbourne together and bring them to the rest of the world during this period of self-isolation.

BUSBOYS & POETS Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday via Washington

Online open mic & poetry slams three times a week 8.00 pm-10.00 pm on Instagram thanks to Busboys & Poets. The focus is poetry but musicians, visual artists, comedians, readers & listeners from all walks of life welcome. Find them @busboysandpoets

Busboys & Poets is: a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide ... we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world. The founder is Andy Shallal. A mural artist among many other things Andy has instigated Paint the Storefronts paying artists to add positive messages to the windows of shops closed due to COVID-19.   

DON'T BE LIVE POETRY DEPRIVED

 

[Just a couple of lines]

TREE WEEK POETRY ZOOM Monday May 4

Yes there is still poetry! Poetry and trees! That Poetry Zoom celebrates trees on Monday May 4. Includes readings of poems written for trees in Hague Park, Canberra as part of the Hague Park Experiment Heritage Signage project. [Mouthful.] Shane Strange will fill you in, followed by the poets Faye Brinsmead, SubhashJaireth, Asha Naznin, Melinda Smith, Martin Dolan, Gemma Nethercote-Way, Penelope Layland, Kerrie-Anne Nelson, Zoe Anderson. 

THE ACT'S Tree Protection Officer, Samantha Ning will speak briefly about Tree Week, followed by readings by Robert Verdon, Lizz Murphy, Judith Nangala Crispin, Kate McNamara and (tbc) Jenni Kemarre Martiniello organized by Sarah St Vincent Welch.

There’s an open mike before and after the tree poetries — sign up when the virtual doors open at 6.30 pm. Event starts 7.00 pm with Sarah St Vincent Welch as emcee. If you are not already on their email list you can find out about it on Facebook where the Zoom invitation link is also posted just prior to each event.

VOICEBOX FREMANTLE Monday May 4

Also on Monday it’s a special Voicebox Fremantle launch of Letters to Our Home hosted by Vivienne Glance at 7 pm. Readings by Michael Williams, Liana Joy Christensen, Allan Padgett, Tara Hurst, Deanne Leber, Natalie D-Napoleon, Jackson, and Allan Boyd. There is also an open mike. Virtual doors open at 6.45 pm. This project was conceived during the Australian bushfire crisis. The Zoom link is here: https://www.voiceboxpoets.com/calendar

Self-serve Open Mike

Voicebox is currently running the Self-serve Open Mic — Alex Chapman’s brainfart he says — where you are invited to post a poem on their FB page during the normal meeting time-slot. Can be text, audio, video. Great idea. Founded in 2004 by Desmonda Kearney, Voicebox normally meets on the last Monday of the month. Time?? Website: https://www.voiceboxpoets.com/calendar

THAT MOTHER TONGUE ZOOM Monday May 11

A rare opportunity. That Mother Tongue Poetry Zoom featuring Thandi Katase, a storyteller from the Makwayi clan of the Xhosa tribe from South Africa. Thandi will tell stories and share her original poetry in Xhosa and English. She might introduce everyone to Imbongi praise singing. Share a poem in a language other than English — or a mix of languages. Email: mothertonguemic[at]gmail[dot]com to sign up in advance, or sign up on the night. Limit 4 minutes. Thank you That Poetry Thing committee member Jacqui Malans.

A BRUSH WITH POETRY Sunday May 31

Watch for Binalong's first Brush with Poetry Zoom, May 31, 2.00 pm.

***

Writers tip: 

Cut your performance teeth on Open Mike opportunities but be considerate of your emcee, your fellow poets and the audience and follow the rules — one poem is one poem, three minutes is three minutes and one minute is one minute, etc. Have your poem ready. If it's in a journal bookmark it (preferably with something that won't flutter to the floor just when you need it); if it's on a device make sure your poem is on screen ready to go. Currently on Zoom we all also have to remember to mute when listening to other poets and unmute when it's our turn :)

THAT POETRY ZOOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: That Poetry Thing is now a hybrid live-in-venue/Zoom event. Triple launch — Dolan, Smith, Strange on September 21. Go to the usual pages for bookings advice (strict seatings) and Zoom links (do duck in). Congratulations and thanks go to the dedicated and persistent Thing Team.

That Poetry Thing That is on Monday Nights at Smith’s is currently That Poetry Zoom thanks to COVID-19 and of course the great committee of poets making that happen. [Er did that sound like I was giving poets the 'credit' for COVID??!!] Poets shall not be stopped. I’m 100k from Canberra so don’t get to That Poetry Thing as often as I’d like, but I’ve now been to That Poetry Zoom three Monday’s in a row. That’s exciting. Love seeing everyone on screen and hearing poets read including from interstate and even overseas. 

You can blur out your background or insert a photo as your backdrop but I don’t know how to do that yet. So … at the table? No. Too much de-cluttering in progress one way and reno-stop-starts-mostly-stops the other way. You know how it goes. I prop in front of a door. Safest bet. Other poets have rows of books, original art and crochet bed throws behind them. There are embroidered cushions and sometimes plump pillows — it can be very cosy participating in a poetry zoom. 

And yes I am a bit of a voyeur. Years ago we would drive around new suburbs watching the builds in progress but also enjoying the room décor thanks to curtainless windows. So now you’ll be glad to know you can also opt not to have your video on. You will just be a name in a black square but we will still hear you. Most of us slurp tea and wine (always with our audio turned off of course — ditto putting wood on the fire) and nibble at whatevers, while one night we watched a poet prepare a healthy meal with her device propped on the kitchen bench. (I'm so catching up on this — I've even started using the term 'device.')

That Poetry Zoom 7.00 pm Monday nights. If you're not already on the email list you can find the Zoom invitation link posted on Facebook just prior to each event. Next one May 4. Of course we do look forward to the regular and fabulous venue Smith's Alternative re-opening its doors — all the very best to them.

THERE SHE IS AGAIN

There she is again

That woman

What’s she doing out there

That woman

Who is that woman

Standing by the lake

Just standing

Just standing there

One hand on the post

The other

on the small of her back

What's she doing

Just standing there

Just standing there

Then the other hand

on the post

Gloves on

One glove off

There she is again

That woman

What’s she doing out there

That woman

Who is that woman

Standing by the lake

MINIMUM 1.5 METRES OR 1 DIRT ROAD

[Minimum 1.5m or 1 dirt road]

Social-distance walking in Binalong recently — lucky to live in such a picturesque area where it also isn’t hard to avoid people. A combination of country space and everyone doing their best to keep one another safe. 

In the village centre the butcher’s open as normal and we can still get newspapers and staples from the wee shop but the Post Office currently closes at 1 pm and the pub is only open (takeaways) lunch time and tea time. The Old Produce Store in total lockdown has reeled in its gay buntings and model sheep, while the old General Store, between jobs so to speak, solemnly awaits a new future. We can still have takeaway food from said Hotel Binalong Wed-Sat with the new luxury of home delivery Saturday dinner times, takeaways from Café on Queen on weekends and The Binalong Community Club on Sunday evenings (also alcohol). The Royal Tara Motel has introduced takeaway Tuesday Chinese and Tuesday Curries. We are tiny but we are creative. There is the added bonus of saying a socially distanced hi if you arrive at a similar time to other locals treating themselves — that’s nearly as exciting as distance waving to one another in the bigger town supermarket.

Our small village is far from a bustling metropolis at any time but now it can be coronavirus eerily quiet. Driving through, say on a mid-week afternoon, reminds me of country towns in rural decline and how this is what Binalong could look like permanently if it didn’t have its active community. We worry about businesses (whether shops, farms or freight) surviving the pandemic, but Binalong will do everything possible to flourish. 

In another life I worked in regional arts development and would hear a lot about rural town decline. The most common refrain from the communities was: ‘How can we get our young people to stay?’ Let them go out into the world I say — think about how to bring them back. In Binalong we have fresh air, clear skies, birds, space, animals, sticks to collect in the paddock, family fun, community activities, art/artists — lifestyle. Young people are returning to start their families and we have the delight of that generation plus babies and toddlers everywhere. 

And even the CORVID-19 cloud has a silver lining — it's called Zoom — I have never 'been to' so many poetry events in such a short space of time! Watch for news on a Brush with Poetry thanks to Coordinator Robyn Sykes. Thanks also Robyn for the photo and the walk.

LOCKDOWN

 

It rains muted greens water pouring at angles 

on the windscreen zigzagging tree trunks the rough 

of peeling splitting bark Swamphens solo walk 

everyone else in weather lockdown 

— from April 2 I think