Beginning a new relationship... with poetry.

2011-11-23T16:43:00.001+11:00

Poetry crept up on me in toddler-hood as Nana was singing hymns while she did thehousework. By middle school I was an addict and being given the ‘Puffin Book of Verse’ for Christmas. My favourite poetry book from this time though, was a richly illustrated Pushkin’s ‘The Tale of Tsar Saltan’, which I still have and cherish. In high school I fell in love with T.S.Eliot’s ‘Preludes’, despite being forced to analyse it inminute detail … and then analyse it some more! I did not, however, fallin love with Kenneth Slessor’s ‘Five Bells’, which we also studied, and I have onlyrecently reread it (thirty years on), understood it and now I'm awe-inspired!

I’vedecided that poetry is like a beautiful red wine, good for my heart - in both an emotionaland a physiological sense - and, because of this, I like to read poetry every day. Readingjust one poem a day is enough to sustain me, but more often than not, I'm gorging myself and reading a few poetry collections at the same time. Reading poetry keeps meobservant; observant of myself, observant of others and observant of the world in general.

Writing poetryhas the same sense-heightening effect, but more so... even during theweeks when it seems that most of what I write is hum drum and destined to stayin the desk drawer. Occasionally (not often enough) there’s a moment of glee, where I walk around thehouse chuckling because what I have written 'works' – and that’s the longed for,often elusive, ‘high’.

What am I reading at the moment? Ross Donlon's chap book 'The Blue Dressing Gown' - because I went to the launch of this book in Katoomba and had the pleasure of hearing Ross read eight, or so, poems from the collection - thank you Ross, I really enjoyed the quiet, unassuming way you read these beautiful poems. (Dad, don't go out and buy this one, I already have a copy for you!). I'm also reading Maeve O'Meara's 'Food Safari' cookbook, which I borrowed from my public library (the Wattaka Kalu Pol, a Sri Lankan pumpkin curry, on page 235 is worth selling your soul for. Seriously.)

Pippi the Poet

Beginning a new relationship... with poetry.