Tanka for the memories

Shakespeare, Macbeth: The Scottish Play

The Scottish Play In our final episode for 2025, and a double episode into the bargain, we discuss the work of probably the most highly acknowledged poet in the Western tradition – William Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, predominantly in iambic pentameter, as well many sonnets and other verse. His effect on literature, and culture in general is huge. We have elected to focus on his verse in one play, Macbeth, often regarded as ‘unlucky’ by performers but a source of great poetic riches, both concise in language and expansive in themes. We hope you will enjoy this episode, which is much longer than most of our pods but seems a necessary indulgence when dealing with ‘the bard.’ Verse discussed in this episode: Macbeth | Act 1, Scene 1 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-1-scene-1] Macbeth | Act 1, Scene 3 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-1-scene-3] (“Two truths are told” – “But what is not”. ) Macbeth | Act 1, Scene 5 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-1-scene-5] (“The raven himself is hoarse” – to cry “Hold, Hold!”) Macbeth | Act 1, Scene 7 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-1-scene-7] (“If it were done” – “And falls on th’ other –“) Macbeth | Act 1, Scene 7 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-1-scene-7] (“What beast was then” – ‘Have done to this”) Macbeth | Act 5, Scene 1 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-5-scene-1] (“Out, damned spot” – “To bed, to bed, to bed!”.)  Macbeth | Act 5, Scene 3 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-5-scene-3] (“I have lived long enough” – “and dare not.”) Macbeth | Act 5, Scene 5 [https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-5-scene-5] (“She should have died” – “Signifying nothing”.) William Shakespeare – Macbeth Act 5 Scene 8 (Final Scene) | Genius [https://genius.com/William-shakespeare-macbeth-act-5-scene-8-final-scene-annotated] – (‘I will not yield” – “Hold enough”.) Announcements:  We wish everyone season’s greeting and will see you again in March 2026. The Louis Joel Summer Program is packed with great activities and can be accessed via this link - Louis Joel Arts & Community [https://www.ljac.com.au/] Credits:  Hosts: Peter Roberts, Colleen Murphy & Lesley Lamb   Original music composed by Andrew Gilpin and Sam Price.  Editor: Colleen Murphy

The Kindness of Water-Helen Jarvis

The Kindness of Water – Helen Jarvis  In our twelfth episode we discuss the work of one of our very talented local poets, Helen Jarvis, who has just released her first collection, The Kindness of Water, published by 5islands Press. Helen grew up in England and now lives in Melbourne/Naarm, where she teaches English. Her poetry has won many awards and has been published in journals and anthologies.  Poems discussed in this episode: Compositor My father was a hand compositor. He filled each frame with characters in heavy metal fonts, from left to right, with the nick upwards, gauging the gaps between the words, ens and ems of white space to fit the forme.   He loved the old serif fonts, born of prototypes hand chiseled with precision. He scorned their digital ghosts, that flex and shift to fit a screen, approximations that bear clean sharp lines, not the jag & blur of fresh ink.   When I write, I am bound by the metallic tang and heft of hand-forged galleys, framed by his eye for cool white space, the hot metal in my veins an unholy alloy of Thames clay and the silt of the Yarra. And whether you hear my voice clothed in the centuries of grace that is Garamond or in the jaunty flapper rhythms of Eric Gill, you’ll glimpse the imprint of my father’s hands— their dance within the margins— that lends form to the body of my words.   The poem ‘Washing my Mother’s Hair’ or ‘I Wash My Mother’s Hair’ is available on Island magazine’s website: https://islandmag.com/read/washing-my-mothers-hair-by-helen-jarvis [https://islandmag.com/read/washing-my-mothers-hair-by-helen-jarvis]   Restless   In my mother’s country, I trace the fleeting shades    of childhood. Throats gulp plosives, pitched too high;   I wonder how I’d sound if I had stayed.   Out on the estuary, sanderlings serenade the wind, skim the goose-tide that wanes and sighs in my mother’s country, tracing fleeting shades   through spiral casts of lug-worms, silt and clay. The streets flow polyester. Walking them, a spy, I wonder how I’d sound, if I had stayed.   The lovely buildings crack with rain, decayed; department stores now reek of vapes and fries.  In my mother’s country, I trace fleeting shades.   My mother’s mind runs restless as the waves. Mired in unyielding time, the days slip by. I wonder how we’d sound, if I should stay.   Down in the eel-grass, stints and dunlins wade. I wish her calm, between saltmarsh and sky.    In my mother’s country, I trace fleeting shades— a daughter—wonder how I’d sound if I could stay.   Piano Concerto No.2   An upstairs flat in Leeds—the broken bed, with Shostakovich playing, and the red   and cobalt glass that throws splashes of light across your chest. This feeling that we might   not ever move from here again. My arm at rest upon your hip, the piano calm,   andante, settling sweetly on that long and lovely movement, following the strong   triumphant wildness of the earlier score, awash with newness, and with something raw   and tender that I don’t yet understand. Your breath, the dusty ceiling rose, your hand,   its fingers curled in mine; so let me keep this record as the music dims, as sleep   drifts in—the crackling stylus, your soft face, and evening shadows slipping into place.   Announcements:  The Fortnightly Pier Poetry Group, facilitated by Peter, has changed its meeting time to Wednesday evenings from 7. 00pm to 8. 30pm at the Louis Joel Arts + Community Centre (5 Sargood St, Altona).  The next meeting will occur on 5 November. Come along if you love talking poetry. The Louis Joel Spring Program is now available by following this link - https://www.ljac.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FINAL-2025-LJAC-SPRING-Program-A4.pdf [https://www.ljac.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FINAL-2025-LJAC-SPRING-Program-A4.pdf]  A veritable feast of activities are available. We would like to hear from you!  If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on ljacpoetry@gmail.com. Constructive criticism and praise are welcomed. Currently we have a focus on a favourite poem you were taught at school or during your childhood.  -----  Credits:  Hosts: Peter Roberts & Colleen Murphy  Original music composed by Andrew Gilpin and Sam Price.  Editor: Colleen Murphy

Simon Says

Simon Says In our eleventh episode we discuss the work of one of our very favourite poets, the extraordinary American singer/songwriter, Paul Simon.  From his enduring early work with Art Garfunkel to his stellar solo career, producing such iconic albums as Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints, Simon has produced lyrics known for their narrative quality, blending autobiographical details with broad universal themes of love, loss, social commentary and the search for meaning. We examine three of his lyrics written at different points of his near 70 year career, and it feels very much like being in the presence of genius. Lyrics discussed in this episode: America - America - The Paul Simon Official Site Graceland - Paul Simon – Graceland Lyrics | Genius Lyrics Wristband - https://www.paulsimon.com/track/wristband/ Announcements:  The Fortnightly Pier Poetry Group, facilitated by Peter, has changed it’s meeting time to Wednesday evenings from 7. 00pm to 8. 30pm at the Louis Joel Arts + Community Centre (5 Sargood St, Altona). The next meeting will occur on 24 September. Come along if you love talking poetry. As mentioned on the pod we are currently working to redevelop the Louis Joel Food Pantry – a resource for members of our community who, for whatever reason, are having difficulty accessing nutritional meals for themselves and their families You can support the Food Pantry by donating food items directly to the Louis Joel Centre or by placing items in the purple bin, located at Coles in Pier Street. The Louis Joel Sprig Program is ow available by following this link - https://www.ljac.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FINAL-2025-LJAC-SPRING- Program-A4.pdf A veritable feast of activities are available. We would like to hear from you!  If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on ljacpoetry@gmail.com. Constructive criticism and praise are welcomed. Currently we have a focus on a favourite poem you were taught at school or during your childhood.  -----  Credits:  Hosts: Peter Roberts & Colleen Murphy  Original music composed by Andrew Gilpin and Sam Price.  Editor: Colleen Murphy

Lesbia Harford

In our tenth episode we take a deep dive into the poetry of little known Australian poet, Lesbia Harford  (1891 – 1927).  John Kinsella, in the introduction to The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry, Kinsella J ed. Penguin, Melbourne,  2009 p 47 - 48  describes her as ‘the radical and unique Lesbia Harford, whose poetry of ambivalent sexuality, working class values and titled syntax would open the doors to modernism in so many ways.’ And he is right! We are very fortunate to be joined, in this episode, by the wonderful, and extremely knowledgeable Lesley Lamb, who has written a thesis on Harford’s contribution to literature, feminism and social justice. Poems discussed in this episode: Please note that while most of the links look identical they should take you to the nominated poem. Grotesque - Poetry Platform - the largest database of poetry, save it to read later! [https://www.poetryplatform.org/poem/3196/lesbia-harford/grotesque] Skirt Machinist - Poetry Platform - the largest database of poetry, save it to read later! [https://www.poetryplatform.org/poem/3196/lesbia-harford/skirt-machinist] All Day Long - [All day long] [https://open.sydneyuniversitypress.com.au/9780207151576/9780207151576-all-day-long.html#Chapter49] Periodicity - Poetry Platform - the largest database of poetry, save it to read later! [https://www.poetryplatform.org/poem/3196/lesbia-harford/periodicity] Deliverance Through Art  - Poetry Platform - the largest database of poetry, save it to read later! [https://www.poetryplatform.org/poem/3196/lesbia-harford/deliverance-through-art] A Bronte Legend - Poetry Platform - the largest database of poetry, save it to read later! [https://www.poetryplatform.org/poem/3196/lesbia-harford/a-bronte-legend] Announcements:  The Fortnightly Pier Poetry Group at Louis Joel Arts & Community, facilitated by Peter, is on at 11am on Fridays with the next meeting occurring on 8 August, 2025 . Come along if you love talking poetry. We would like to hear from you!  As part of our 'Hobsons Choice' segment, we would like to hear from you. If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on ljacpoetry@gmail.com. Constructive criticism and praise are welcomed. Currently we have a focus on a favourite poem you were taught at school or during your childhood

Tanka for the memories

In our ninth episode we move away from European styles of poetry and examine a Japanese form – the tanka, a close relation to haiku. Rodney Williams, poet and editor of the journal Catchment – Poetry of Place returns as our guide to educate us about tanka and share some of his writing in that form. Hobson’s Choice also returns with a focus on poetry we were taught at school. Ann Pilkington and Anneliese Rosenmayer share their memories of poems they first encountered as students and still remember to this day! Poems discussed in this episode: Meg Merrilies | The Poetry Foundation [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47348/meg-merrilies] Cargoes poem - John Masefield [https://www.best-poems.net/john_masefield/cargoes.html] Tanka by Rodney Williams   past the pier a cormorant surfacing well away from where it dived – your message safely home A bird-loving man: haiku and tanka, by Rodney Williams (Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide, Aust, 2013   fingerlings break the lake’s surface in eights and tens with threats from beneath bedsheets twisted at dawn  Fred the Rescue Cat: 70 tanka, by Rodney Williams (Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide, Aust, 2023) shimmering on the desert track a mirage her smile radiant for the man behind me A bird-loving man: haiku and tanka, by Rodney Williams (Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide, Aust, 2013 on harvest potato bags stand full by red furrows. . . in fields far to the west long rows of white crosses A bird-loving man: haiku and tanka, by Rodney Williams (Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide, Aust, 2013 hothouse butterflies – she smiles at a wink of blue wings Fred the Rescue Cat: 70 tanka, by Rodney Williams (Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide, Aust, 2023) Announcements:  The Fortnightly Pier Poetry Group at Louis Joel Arts & Community, facilitated by Peter, is on at 11am on Fridays with the next meeting occurring on 27 June, 2025 . Come along if you love talking poetry. Email ljacpoetry@gmail.com to register your interest.  Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre will soon be offering their wonderful Winter 2025 program. There are so many great things on offer – for details go to Louis Joel Arts & Community [https://www.ljac.com.au/] We would like to hear from you!  As part of our 'Hobsons Choice' segment, we would like to hear from you. If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on ljacpoetry@gmail.com. Constructive criticism and praise are welcomed. Currently we have a focus on a favourite poem you were taught at school or during your childhood, but anything that strikes you is great.  Get in touch! -----  Credits:  Hosts: Peter Roberts & Colleen Murphy  Original music composed by Andrew Gilpin and Sam Price.  Editor: Colleen Murphy