Self-portrait as Frida Kahlo – by Katherine Brabon
Poetry Katherine Brabon Poetry Katherine Brabon

Self-portrait as Frida Kahlo – by Katherine Brabon

RUNNER-UP IN THE GWEN HARWOOD POETRY PRIZE 2020/2021

I tell her about Frida Kahlo her right leg thinner than the other my left leg / thinner than the other. A pebble of obsession in me a need for similarity of / any limb. The slow ebb circulation in her leg my knee is concrete I say / this my friend shifts one leg over the other. Frida saying I must have full / skirts and long, now that my sick leg is so ugly. I say my sick leg is so / ugly my sick leg is so ugly, says my friend …

Read More
Exoskeletons – by John Kinsella
Poetry John Kinsella Poetry John Kinsella

Exoskeletons – by John Kinsella

RUNNER-UP IN THE GWEN HARWOOD POETRY PRIZE 2020/2021

Words are less inherently
appealing less appealing
inherently only as skin
needing to graft extra
senses though likely that’s
too harsh an abrasive rub
of wild oats and seed spikes…

Read More
In My Father’s House - by Suneeta Peres da Costa 
Poetry Suneeta Peres da Costa Poetry Suneeta Peres da Costa

In My Father’s House - by Suneeta Peres da Costa 

We are / on land but the water is rising. Baby frogs, escaped / from the long-unused well, are found, delicate as / foreskins, among the Macau china …

This is part of our new 5-piece suite from South-Asian Australian writers inspired by the COVID situation in India and the Australian response

Read More
Thirty Pieces - by A Frances Johnson
Poetry A Frances Johnson Poetry A Frances Johnson

Thirty Pieces - by A Frances Johnson

You hang, peerless, around the edges /
of friendship. Want more than to swing /
in a biblical sunset, play villain in a /
cloud-hammered story with ‘good cop’ /
twisting your head into the back of a car …

Read More
Pink Sun - by Toby Fitch
Poetry Toby Fitch Poetry Toby Fitch

Pink Sun - by Toby Fitch

… at peak hour / pink sun / black sky / you can return now / for eternity / ’cause you’ve stood up with the Hellsong / hung loose and come out the other / sideline without a hose / to fan the arson online …

Read More
Sunlight / Dear Mum - by Graham Akhurst
Poetry Graham Akhurst Poetry Graham Akhurst

Sunlight / Dear Mum - by Graham Akhurst

… At midday the sun was high and bright in the clear blue sky. You took off your slippers, socks, and beanie, and walked your frail body – with the hospital gown hanging loosely over you and the wheels of your drip machine rattling – onto the lawn …

Read More
Tend - by Jo Langdon
Poetry Jo Langdon Poetry Jo Langdon

Tend - by Jo Langdon

I could some days mistake for a flower/
the perineum—by letter & sound—it’s true:/
like some variant nasturtium/
of jaunty colour atop salad leaves & dressed/
in bright oil …

Read More
Archive