Three Canberra-based poets you need to know about
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It’s time to celebrate the power of words and imagination.
Poetry is an art form that has the power to capture the essence of human emotions, experiences, and ideas. It transcends time, language, and cultural barriers, connecting people from all walks of life.
With the rise of digital media and social networking, poetry faces new hurdles. On the one hand, digital media has made it easier for poets to publish and share their work with a global audience. But on the other hand, the abundance of information and distractions in the digital age can make it harder for poetry to capture and hold our attention.
Despite these challenges, the art of poetry continues to thrive and evolve, reflecting the changing times and the diversity of human experiences.
To honour our local poets, here are three Canberra-based poets you need to know about!
Grief and Beauty | Annie Franklin (South-coast artist), and Anita Patel (Canberra-based writer)
Grief and Beauty is a testament to the author’s personal experience of the 2019-20 bushfires, capturing both the sorrow and the aesthetic allure that arose from the disaster. Through a combination of stunning artwork and poetry, the book portrays the lasting effects of the fires on the landscape, depicting both the destruction and the rejuvenation that followed. It also emphasizes the hope that can be found in nature and in people’s resilience in the face of adversity. Franklin’s breathtaking paintings and Patel’s eloquent poetry together provide a vivid and poignant account of a time marked by both profound grief and luminous beauty.
Killernova | Omar Musa
Credit: Penguin Books Australia
Killernova is a compilation of wood carvings and poetry that exudes a fiery brilliance. Borneo, which was once the world’s most densely forested island, has a history of skilled woodcarving. Omar Musa, grappling with his roots, combines this traditional art with celestial poetry in Killernova. Musa’s writing is marked by confidence, humour, and emotional openness and he navigates a range of topics such as the colonial past of Southeast Asia, ecological destruction, the sea, wildfires, race relations in Australia, the loneliness and addiction caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. The text is rhythmically on point, visually captivating, and deceptively intimate, resulting in a work of art that shines brightly.
And, here’s something for younger readers to enjoy:
RapperBee | Harry Laing (Author), and Anne Ryan (Illustrator)
Harry Laing’s poetry collection, RapperBee will give you a buzz! It includes black and white illustrations that are both brilliant and anarchic. The wordplay in the poems is sure to capture children’s attention and they will enjoy reading them aloud.
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! I’ll leave you now with a haiku by yours truly:
“Ngunnawal land speaks
Stories of ancient wisdom
Whispers on the breeze.”
