THAT POETRY THING MONDAY NIGHT

 

The charismatic Moni McInerney of the Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC will do me the honour of launching The Wear of my Face (Spinifex Press) at the sensational Smith's Alternative on Monday April 11 at 7 pm. The equally vibrant Sarah St Vincent Welch is MC representing the also sensational That Poetry Thing that's on at Smith's Every Monday. (See leaflet below.)

That's neither of them in the photo by the way. Thinking about BAC's lake setting reminds me of my days during the first Covid lockdown. My isolation/social distancing was not as active this person's — you did notice the pic is taken from within the car, right? Laptops, books, flasks of tea, chocolate biscuits ...

I'm one of two launches on the night. The inimitable Kit Kelen is the other with his Book of Mother collection. Short open mike. Free admission. Pass the word on, eh.

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

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

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

THE LAKE IS IN A MOOD

[Bargang Beach ACT March 31]

The lake is in a mood this morning tides and clouds have split it into dramatic geometrics it’s effecting everyone birds honk and complain tear up the surface This is the quietest I’ve seen it here no more (small) gatherings not even spread out tree to tree no children in the play areas (I wondered about that) there are still solo walkers or couples An occasional grandad with a small child A bent man with a kayak They need extra bins everyone coming to the lake to eat their Takeaway Only (Take the packaging home with you!) The dialysis clinic is already in lock down — patients only — I now drop off and run away Today the whole health centre is in lock down we are screened by Security before being allowed into the carpark Fair enough good job I misunderstand his hand waving and get shouted at We’re ALL stressed mate 

[Note the rarely seen 'bandy-legged watercoot' bottom right]

 

 













[Cloud Zero]

Someone has turned up to fish Ugg boots and light beers Relaxed 

No more café admin and writing for me (or Tai Chi groups for that matter) Enjoying the picnic brunches and writing by the lake though It’s more silver now and the clouds are lightening shaping up to amuse themselves

Snooze time Lie back watch the clouds listen to This Working Life on Radio National [aired Monday March 30 at 5.30 am; repeated today] Colin James remote conferencing guru among other things Such good advice as many of us take our gatherings online First you'll hear about feelings of grief due to COVID-19

Oh mannn the fisher guy is standing there urinating off the bank! Really?! He saunters back to his fold up chair as if he’s done something clever A male voice from behind: Hey dickhead there’s a toilet just up there – no need to piss in the lake! Good on him 

— from Tuesday March 31, 2020

A TIME TO SIT WITH THE TREES

Just a scrawl

Update December 3, 2022: This post turned out to be a seed of a poem which was eventually developed enough to be accepted into a brand new anthology titled It's All Connected: Feminist Fiction and Poetry (Spinifex Press). See more in today's new post Poetry — It's All Connected.

Walt Whitman watches as I approach his table Oh you again he says   I’m not in the mood  he looks perplexed Ignoring him I sit under the depiction of a famous portrait of the poet Watercolour and ink I think

Eventually without realizing it I fold into the same position – physical that is  I don’t realize it until another customer excuses himself I’m sorry I just have to tell you you look exactly like the picture behind you – have you seen it? I’ve forgotten the detail, turn and there we are mirror image hand on chin staring … Walt stares across the quiet café out through the glass into the streets where a pandemic is unfolding

I am cramming on space weather and real weather while bare earth too slowly washes green and groves of sorry trees freshen expand their curling leaves

 **

This is from March 5. With work, workshops, poetry readings and you name it cancelled and everyone in at least semi self isolation it’s a time to ‘Go and sit in a grove or woods …’ (provided you don't have to travel to get there). More about Walt Whitman* and the wisdom of trees here:

https://www.brainpickings.org/2017/11/06/walt-whitman-specimen-days-trees/

And this website features the original study:

https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/08/15/walt-whitman-specimen-days-poetry-art/

*Yes I did have Walt Wisdom!! I've corrected it.