I have just spent the most amazing day immersed in the world of words. It began with Claire G Coleman's workshop, Embracing Your Poetic Licence, at the Wheeler Centre for Books. The workshop was part of the Melbourne Writers Festival and it was wonderful to be attending an event at... Read more →

I woke up this morning to the best news ever! My poem, empty nest, has been shortlisted for the 2022 Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing in the Open Poetry section! The other poets shortlisted for the prize this year are Judith Bishop, Gayelene Carbis, Yaron Fisher, Helen Hopcroft, Susanne Kennedy,... Read more →

Yet still I live though wax moons shine and shed tears of blood causing the shadow of the goddess to fall like rain upon my face The primal chant wells in my soul the symphony rising in my drumming blood her language coming unbidden to the tongue the essential worship... Read more →

There were no fireworks no starbursts of red, green and yellow no rockets of magnificent blue and yet love came knocking There were animated conversations sharing of hopes and dreams deepening of a friendship and still love came knocking There was the first tender kiss the exquisite exploring of another's... Read more →

On West 46 and Broadway there's newly matyred Christians selling salvation whilst kitty-cornered across the road the devil sells damnation for only the price of your soul And it's kinda weird how there's always a crowd around Beelzebub's limo whilst people avoid the gazes of God's honest foot soldiers Flashback... Read more →

the stench of sun baked seaweed, midday and rotting fish, three weeks fills my nostrils as I speed through the red light ~~~ The above words are an excerpt from Drive, one of my latest poems. Quite apt given my recent road trip undertaken on very hot summer days. Luckily... Read more →

I'm an impostor dressed in someone else's clothes as I rifle through her wardrobe I wonder who the hell she really was And everyone who knew her says they know me and they confuse the two of us for each other And as soon as they open their mouths to... Read more →

I can see from the quizzical expression upon your face that you're wondering wondering why I've brought you to this place As I lean closer lower my voice conspiratorially to a whisper I utter the words that must change your life 'I'm giving back the monkey' I say and lean... Read more →

Flashback to my first book of poetry, Defenestration, published in 1997. Now back in print. ~~~ Ever since I learnt to read, I wanted to be a writer. When I was a kid I would write and illustrate my own stories. I'd make them into books and try to make... Read more →

heart shaped leaves blood stained nodding yellow bonnets sour grass ~~~ The above words are an excerpt from Oxalis, one of my latest poems. Until recently I accepted the conventional idea of weeds - annoying plants ruining gardens and needing to be eradicated. Now I see food, natural dyes and... Read more →