Poetry
Michael Ondaatje’s latest work is in praise of long love and experience
The writer’s first collection of poetry in more than 25 years replaces the idea of ageing as diminution with a blazing and sensual testament to what is held close.
- by Felicity Plunkett
Latest
Michael Ondaatje’s ‘little fragments’ that lead to prize-winning work
The award-winning novelist says he’s writing only poetry at the moment and his new collection has an ‘elegiac tone’.
- by JP O'Malley
This festival nurtured a generation of talent. Now it’s on life support
For two decades the National Young Writers’ Festival has been a crucible for Australian literary talent, but its future is now in doubt.
- by Nell Geraets
The writing that shows the business of poetry for Seamus Heaney
The Nobel laureate for literature’s correspondence reveals much about how he worked and the difficulties of his situation as Ireland’s greatest modern poet.
- by Gregory Day
Girlhood, ’90s TV and Britney Spears converge in poet Kate Middleton’s new book
Television explores how screen-time gets under our collective and individual skins.
- by Brooke Boland
How two poets approach their struggles with colonisation and racism
Reading Jeanine Leane and Sara M Saleh’s work together illuminates intriguing mutual concerns.
- by Lyn McCredden
Australian poetry is having a moment
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
- by Melanie Kembrey, Barry Divola, Frances Mocnik, Melissa Singer, Greg Callaghan, Katrina Strickland, Tim Elliott and Deborah Cooke
Dicey Topics
Good Weekend
Award-winning poet Sarah Holland-Batt on fixing the system that failed her dad
The author also explains why paying attention is important for her craft.
- by Benjamin Law
What the hell am I doing reading poems? Try it. You’ll thank me
You might not understand it at first, but please, embrace the mystery.
- by Anson Cameron
‘I tell people I’m a poet, they’re shocked it’s a viable job’: Jazz Money
Jazz Money is one of the headliners for a month-long celebration of the best in Australian verse, as an official poet laureate looms on the horizon.
- by Lenny Ann Low
No flesh nor bones: Why Nick Cave has nothing to fear from ChatGPT
Amid the hysteria about AI, humanity has a fundamental, if painful, advantage.
- by Richard King
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/poetry-1na6