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Run Roger Run- A Docupoetry Delight

I have featured Docupoetry poems in previous posts. They combine primary source material with poetry writing. A number of sources may be accessed to inspire docupoetry. Sources include: news articles  letters  photographs  diaries, journals  court transcripts  medical records  public records  non-fiction texts reports Poets can therefore access a wide range of documents brimming with poetic potential in the pursuit of such writing.  When writing docupoetry, the poet may arrange lines or phrases from the source texts to create poems, convey their interpretation of the documents through original poetry, or write poems that fall on somewhere between these various objectives. I find this form of poetry  instantly appealing.  Yesterday in a debriefing session with a group of teacher at a nearby school, I mentioned the subject of docupoetry and they expressed interest and curiosity in this poetry form as an alternative way of conveying information. So, here's another docupoem charting Ro
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A List Of Poetry Titles Curated By Alan j Wright

 This post is in response to a request arising from an on-line poetry workshop I conducted recently titled- 'Poetry-Graffiti For The Heart.'  I was asked if I had a list of recommended poetry titles. I am often a little reticent to share such lists as I believe it is important for educators/ teachers of poetry to curate their own lists. The titles that spark my passion and interest in poetry may be different to those that inspire others. That said, I have updated a previous list of titles I hope might set the ball rolling for others. I see it as a possible starting point rather than a definitive list. I further suggest that as a teacher of poetry set aside a little time to wander through your school's library and cast an eye over the poetry collection. Have a really good look at the assembled books. Take some books from the shelves and open them and examine the poetry within the covers. If what you are seeing is a  collection of dated, unattractive titles and there doesn

Poetry From The Neighbourhood

 The neighbourhoods in which we live, are full of diverse characters. People with stories to tell. Unique individuals, quirky and idiosynchratic. They fascinate us. They puzzle us. They arouse our curiosity. They challenge the norms. We celebrate their difference. This poem about Keith is a composite of several individuals. It is based on people that lived in the town I grew up in and people I live amongst now. It's a character sketch, using a rich trove of information. I weaved those observations together in the creation of Keith.  An Incomplete Portrait Of Keith   Keith is a handyman Fixes all manners of things -even poker machines Learned his trade up north Speaks with a slow Queenslander drawl And often says, I reckon At the end of his sentences.   Sometimes smokes rollies Wears an old felt hat all year round Lives in a small, lightly furnished flat With boxes of old records and a cupboard full of cowboy shirts And plumber’s singlets.   The story

A Bit of Short Stuff -Poems As Brief Encounters

 Well, it's Poetry Friday and this week our host is Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite Of Indifference. Tabatha's post is about Scheherazade, a character  from The Thousand and One Nights (also known as The Arabian Nights). I freely admit I love variety in my poetry- a variety of forms, indeed, but also a variety of line lengths.  I find it stimulating to mix up my approach to poetry on a regular basis. It helps to keep my attention sparked. This time I'm sharing a bit of short stuff.  When writing short verse there is an everpresent need for pithiness.  I immediately think of poets such as Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, Spike Milligan, Shel Silverstein who were great exponents of short verse.  When writing short verse each word seems to carry an increased load. You do not have the luxury of time and words when making your pitch. Those limitations become an engaging challenge.  I have noticed within myself a tendency to wander in the direction of humour and wordplay when making short

Free On Line Poetry Workshop : Poetry -Graffiti For The Heart

 Pleased and proud to be working with ALEA Top End to present this free Poetry Workshop on February 29th, 3.00 pm. Darwin Time ALEA Top End - Australian Literacy Educators' Association Join us for our first PL of the year with Alan J Wright (what a fabulous way to kick off 2024 am I right!) ALEA Top End are proud to offer this session FREE for all members and non-members across Australia! Simply follow the link and register to reserve your spot! https://www.alea.edu.au/.../poetry-graffiti-for-the-heart...

More Tea and Poetry

  Tea has assumed a heightened presence in my life recently. Writer and poet, Robyn Hood Black wrote a wonderful piece on tea drinking for Poetry Friday last week. It stirred up some strong memories of my family's history as avowed tea drinkers. It became the go to whether it was celebration or crises. Tea was associated with calm and considered resolution.  Yesterday, reading om-line, I became aware of an American  scientist, Michelle Franci, who has caused an international rift with Great Britain by suggesting adding a pinch of salt to a cup of tea to improve the flavour. The US  Embassy in London attempted to assuage  hurt feelings by announcing that adding salt was not official US policy- and never will be. They then landed themsleves in hot water by stating the US Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way- by microwaving it! You can read the full story here . All this tea talk prompted me to go in search of a poem I came across quite some years ago written by the l

School's Back! Poem

 In Australia, we stand on the edge of a brand new school year. Anticipation and preparation are the hallmarks of this time of year, as the summer vacation period ebbs away. I have no wish to brush the remaining days of the holidays away, but my poem wouldn't wait -so here it is. I have always been enthusiastic about starting the new school year, -whether a student, or as a teacher.  Here is my ode to the first day of school- and freshness... We Start Out Fresh And Shiny   The sun comes up On the first day Of a new school year We walk through the school gate School shoes tight,   shiny and new Uniform fresh and clean Creases where they should be Our hearts expectant Faces full of smiles And kissed by the summer. Friends greet us Stories are swapped The corridors gleam and smell of polish The teacher's faces shiny, voices soft at the edges . Classroom s greet us like welcoming arms New books are opened - And we write Oh so carefully With our

Installing a New Appliance -Poetry Friday

Inspiration comes from many quarters. I read Andy Jackson's anthology, 'Human Looking' where his poems speak for the disabled in ways that are illuminating, revealing and tender. Andy Jackson presents poems that speak of surgical procedures and  interventions. Jackson writes from lived experience adding to the emotional impact of his words when speaking of illness, pain and prejudice. He frequently finds his spark in surgical terminology and procedural semantics while also experimenting with form. He writes without any sense of self pity.  I found inspiration in Andy Jackson's honest and at times confronting approach to his lived reality. He addresses his personal vunerability with daring.  This is my response to a recent lived experience. I do not claim to share the same lived experience as Andy Jackson, but have drawn inspiration from the honesty of the work he has shared.   Installing A New Appliance   The incision -is an encore performance The surgeon cuts a