SpeedPoets is proving to be a great stage for interstate and international travellers, and in October, we are fortunate to have two Melburnian’s heading our way. The first of our interstate guests, is award-winning poet, Peter Bakowski. Peter is will be on the road from September to December this year, so it is a real treat to have him feature at the October event.
So make sure that Sunday October 7 (2pm – 5:30pm at Brew) is inked into your diary, as seeing Peter up this way is an all too rare occasion!
Here’s a recent poem from Peter to brighten your screen!
A letter from Rebecca Cartello in Scarborough, England,
to her sister Carla in Longreach, Queensland, 15 December 1933
It’s winter here.
The trees stand stark.
The sky, bird-diminished,
is sullen with clouds.
I sold the last of my books
to buy nine tubes of paint.
What is seen, moves the blood,
I must honour on canvas.
When I cannot make a brushstroke or a colour
lift a painting,
I return to drawing
to remind my hand and eye
of curve, shape and shadow,
of what is present and suggested.
In life-drawing class
we’re sketching Alex,
an aspiring ballet dancer.
His body
crouches, leaps, spins,
both obeys and defies
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake
playing on the gramophone.
The date of my exhibition has been set,
the first of April.
I hope the exhibition will be a success,
that each painting finds its rightful owner,
those who realize that a painting
may also be a mirror.
Please send me a photograph of your Adam.
Tell me more about him,
how he
reads the soil and sky,
joins you in prayer
for a child
and rain.
I’m not one for marriage,
am most alive when painting portraits,
patient with each sitter,
listening to their conversations,
watching where their hands rest,
how they look about the room,
as who they are
rises towards the lure
of my paintbrush.
I’ll close for today,
work further on my portrait
of the local butcher.
Must render the look in his eyes
when he raises his gleaming cleaver.
**********
Melbourne-born poet, Peter Bakowski writes clear, accessible poems, uses ordinary words to say extraordinary things. His poems have appeared in literary magazines worldwide and have been translated into nine languages. Peter has been writer-in-residence in Italy, France, China, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.
He has self-organized and self-financed numerous poetry tours of Australia, some tours lasting three months, some tours covering 10,000 kilometres. Peter also gives poetry readings in private houses to groups of eight or more, anywhere in Australia or overseas.
His philosophy is to be alert to the world and to continue. For more information visit Peter’s blog.
**********
The October gig will also feature the regular delights of free zines, raffles, the guitar roar of Sheish Money and Brisbane’s hottest Open Mic Section. And let’s not forget that this is your last chance to take out one of the coveted Call-Back-Poet spots.
The Call Back Poet is selected by the monthly features and given the opportunity to perform a mini-feature to close the event (2 poems) as well as win the right to perform at the November gig and be in the running for cash prizes – $200 for the winner and $100 for the runner up – and the title SpeedPoets Open Mic Champion for 2012.
So bring your best to the mic!
SpeedPoets have been keeping poetry fast in Brisbane for more than a decade, so come along and take the ride!
Date: Sunday October 7
Location: Brew (Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane City)
Time: 2pm – 5:30pm
Entry: Gold Coin Donation
