Cirrus@Austlit

'What some poetry prize judges say about John Bartlett’s poetry:
‘This impressive poem works delightfully with rhythm, alliteration and imagery throughout. The relatively short lines work as delicate steps, just as fragile and testing as a heron’s steps. “Survival’ hinges on the word “despite’ that concludes with a message of optimism: “the brooding hope…triumphant.” In all, a masterly poem. - Judges report, the Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize 2020

'‘“Pilgrimages of the Short-finned Eel” was simple arresting writing. It made me curious to read and reread it. Wonderful images like “earthskin rupture’, “the tremble-tremble, The Great Shuddering”; somehow these phrases created a sense of the enormous energy of the life force that brings eels to our rivers and years later sends them back to the Coral Sea to spawn, and there is much more meaning in that poem than I have time for here.’ - Judge Josephine Clark in Mundaring Poetry Competition 2021' (Publication summary)

'Despite the publishing limitations in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 restrictions, Melbourne Poets Union remarkably released seven chapbooks last year in its new Blue Tongue Poets and Red-bellied Poets series, all under the auspices of the soon-to-retire editor, Tina Giannoukos. These chapbooks included In This Part of The World by established poet Kevin Brophy and Linda Adair’s first collection, The Unintended Consequences of the Shattering, the latter continuing MPU’s long-standing tradition of nurturing new poets.' (Introduction)

'In approaching a new collection of poetry, a reviewer hopes that a series of themes or poetic preoccupations will quickly emerge to give the necessary “hooks” for said reviewer to arrange some neat conclusions. With Infernal Topographies this task is not quite so simple or straightforward. In this third collection by Miles, clear themes and resolutions are not so apparent and often meanings are left dangling.' (Introduction)

'It was with trepidation and some excitement that I approached a reading of Family Trees, the most recent collection of poetry by Australian poet Michael Farrell, regarded as one of our leading contemporary experimental poets.' (Introduction)

'‘Loss, longing and nostalgia infuse the poems in this poignant collection. Some poems are elegiac, some confessional, others alert to environmental exploitation, sexuality and human suffering. Here is a poet engaged with his world and showing us what it is to remember, to question, to see and feel.’ – Julie Maclean' (Publication summary)

'An estuary is a kind of meeting place. A space in the natural world where fresh and salt waters gather. In life it is a convergence of energies, where the present collides disturbingly with past secrets. Where madness and sanity are almost indistinguishable, and sexuality is hidden and ambiguous. Where the conflicts of race and culture may yet be reconciled. Estuary is the story of Seth, a carpenter who upon the death of his beloved aunt is driven to uncover the mystery surrounding her early life. Leila, an artist, incarcerated in a mental hospital, develops a deep friendship with a young Aboriginal woman. Seth's investigation of the past forces him to face some uncomfortable truths about his own life and identity. Much like the journey of a mighty river, the twists, turns and meanderings of both Leila's and Seth's personal history go beyond the story to symbolise the complex relationships that currently are being played out in Australia.' (Publisher's blurb)