Yes, I’ve re-entered the atmosphere.

Last weekend, I read at the Moon Cafe. I scrambled to stitch together some poems that had been lying in pieces for far too long – one a day for the eight days leading up to the reading was my goal, but in the end I managed seven. Which is pretty good, I think. What’s that old saying – “Reach for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars?” Lately, I have been feeling rather more like the more recent re-working – “Reach for the stairs; they’re closer” – but either way, I got seven new poems out of it, so I am very happy.

It was a lovely afternoon – stinking hot on the Moon but I like the heat. I like the weather, actually, and do not like the way we seem to increasingly avoid it via the so-called necessities of air-con and so forth. I do like it when the air is moving, though. An oscillating fan will do me most of the time. It was almost tropical at the Moon, with the humidity and the closeness and the overhead fans and the languid couches, and I loved it. And I think there might be a poem in there somewhere – “Give Me Weather”? Perhaps I’ll scratch that down shortly.

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Or rather, at the Moon. If you grow weary of the international excellence and convivial literary atmosphere that is the Perth Writers’ Festival, come up to the Moon Cafe and enjoy the local excellence and so-called ‘op-shop decor’ (to quote the West) of Perth Poetry Club.

I’ll be reading on Saturday 27 Feb, in two slots from around 2pm and there’ll also be open mic for those of you so inclined.

I hope my legs don’t break/reading at the Moon.

Perth Poetry Club: “Where Slams Meet Sonnets”.
The Moon Cafe: 323 William St, Northbridge.

Dear poets and friends,

Recently the poetry community was struck with some terrible news. As a result of the bush fires in Kinglake our dear friend and sister poet Ella Holcombe lost both of her parents.

We are holding a fundraiser here in Perth to support Ella. “Regenerate: The Greening of Kinglake” will be an evening of poetry and song, featuring poets such as Kevin Gillam, Andrew Burke, Lucy Dougan and Sarah French, together with a silent auction of donated goods.

I will be reading at the fundraiser and would love to have your company on the night. As suggested by the venue and timing, this is an event for adults, rather than children.