Cirrus@Austlit

'Remembering the subpar poems I penned during my own youth - full of angst, longing  and with an oddly persistent bent towards mythological appropriation - I am stunned by the maturity and originality of the poems published in this issue of Rabbit. These young writers demonstrate not only a heightened awareness of what language can do  - sonically, rhythmically, meaningfully - as it moves across lines, but also an astonishing capacity for personal, social, cultural and political insight. As 'nonfiction poetry, these poems tell me that their authors are engaged with the world in ways that matter, whether that be on a relatively small scale (via inspecting the feet of one's father) or on a large scale (taking part in a major political protest). It is heartening to know that such sensitive and perceptive poems are being written by the next generation of poets.' (Jessica Wilkinson : Editorial introduction) 

'It has been tremendous to have the opportunity, given to us by Jessica, to read and select the poems that made it into this edition of Rabbit. Being a part of this project through my Master's degree in writing and publishing at RMIT has allowed me to feel once again the frightening excitement of caring deeply about the outcome of a piece, a poem, a short list. I read poetry, I write it, and I am invested in seeing others develop their own, so weighing in on the long and short list of this edition has been a privilege I have not wasted.' (Rachael Nielsen : Poetry Editorial introduction)