|
Wollundry has a strong tradition each year of holding a "Poet's Day" and this year was coordinated by David Benn. David invited along CSU Lecturer and member of the Sunrise Rotary Club, David Gilbey to speak and read some of his poems from his latest publication, "Pachinko Sunrise". Bennie also enlisted a number of members to entertain the meeting with a variety of verse.
 David Gilbey read two poems from his new book;
Yokzuna- a poem about Sumo wrestling
Intercultural Communication- a brief summary of Australian colloquialisms through the eyes of a Japanese Exchange student.
 John Hawkins read the poem "Leisure" by English poet William Henry Davies. It was a poem full of irony!
"A poor life this is if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare"
 Paul Milde chose the iconic poem from World War 1 "In Flanders Field" to read to us. The poem was written by a Canadian army surgeon, Lt Colonel John McRae after he had witnessed one of the futile battles on the Western Front in 1915. The poem was the inspiration for the foundation of the Legacy Clubs of Australia directly after World War 1.
"In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place
And in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly"
 Rick Priest read to us one of Banjo Paterson immortal works "Clancy of the Overflow" "Clancy" had a make over with references to the 21st century modes of electronic communication!
 Laurie Blowes read appropriately a poem about Australia Day- Smithy's Australia Day by Warren Dakin
"So when you feel disgruntled just remember this rendition,
And never blame this country for the acts of politicians,
Look up and count your blessings when you see our flag unfurled,
And be grateful that you live in the best country in the world."
Doug Sutton reminded us all what it was like growing up in the days of no TV and limited radio when the family made their own entertainment by standing and singing around the piano played by his mother. He read to us the poem "Piano" by the celebrated English author (David Herbert), D.H. Lawrence.
"Softly in the dusk, a woman is singing to me;
Taking me back down the vistas of years, till I see
A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings
And pressing the small poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings"
 Michael Knight read from "The Even More Complete Book of Australian Verse" by well known comedian and TV personality John Clarke. Clarke adopts the guise of Dylan Thomas writing as Dylan Thompson,"a martyr to the turps, frequently waking in unfamiliar circumstances and attempting to catch the speech rhythms of the sea."
A Child's Christmas at Warrnambool
One Christmas was so like another in those years around the sea town corner now, I can never remember whether it was 106 degrees in 1953 or 103 degrees in 1956. All the Christmases roll into one down the wave-roaring, salt squinting years of yesterboy.
 A vote of thanks was given to David Gilbey. He then won the weekly wine draw with a bottle of Dick Smith's "Roosters Ghost"
The launch of David's book "Pachinko Sunset" will be held at Wagga Wagga City Library on 5th March at 2pm.
Everyone is invited.
|
.JPG)
.jpg)
