Poetry

Willoubhy Literary Festival 17 – 27 July 2025 Enjoy author talks and panel discussions 2.

colleen Poetry , , , ,

A VERY AFFIRMING REVIEW OF THE MAKING OF A POEM PANEL DISCUSSION  Thank-you Anne.

Willoughby Literary Festival runs until 27 July 2025 – don’t miss it!

I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the inaugural Willoughby Literary Festival, proudly hosted by Willoughby City Council!

The first panel discussion, I attended explored the lives and enduring influence of Shirley Hazzard, Elizabeth Harrower, and

Charmian Clift—three remarkable women who overcame challenging childhoods to leave an indelible mark on Australian literature.

Their strength, resilience, and literary brilliance were truly inspiring.

The second panel discussion, delved into the making of a poem.

While I’m not a writer, poetry has always held a special place in my heart –

its ability to distil raw emotion into just a few words never fails to move me.

Anne Casey’s poem laid bare the emotional cost of political injustice, weaving sorrow,
defiance, and the fierce endurance of the female spirit.

Colleen Keating offered a beautiful reflection on memory and family,
using a treasured recipe book to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and love
passed down through generations.

Denise O’Hagan’s The Art of Waiting captured the quiet agony
of sitting beside a seriously ill child – its imagery haunting, honest,
and unforgettable.

These three extraordinary poets – members of the Society of Women Writers,

now celebrating 100 years – left a profound impression.

Anne Greco,   Willoughby Councillor 

Go to the event program on the library web page and book what’s for you! 

 https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-programs/Willoughby-Literary-Festival

#WilloughbyLiteraryFestival

#WilloughbyCouncil 

#WomenWriters

 

 

RETURN: A first walk in the terrace garden by Colleen Keating

colleen Poetry , , , ,

 

When your first few walks after a hospital stay are just on your terrace and it is still winter 

A Cinderella’s silver slipper moment
the first morning after a hospital stay.

Light ushers in a dawn  festival . Each leaf
a carillon of bells on the fiddle tree.

Music sounds on the air.
Amerthys, ruby, emerald shine on petals . 

The scent of the earth. 
Caroll of birds. 

Blood-red Coleus .
The schlumbergera still blooming

Bearded Lily, Iris, Petuna  
the rainbow spikes of bromeliads and salvia.

From the sterile white cell
today is finding the owner 

of the lost diamond slipper
and slipping it back on. 

   

 

Willoubhy Literary Festival 17 – 27 July 2025 Enjoy author talks and panel discussions

colleen General, Poetry , , , ,

 Willoughby Literary Festival:  The making of a Poem 

Award winning poets  Anne Casey, Colleen Keating and Denise O’Hagan in discussion with Michele Seminara.

All members of The Society of Women Writers NSW – delve  into one of thier poems,

sharing its inspiration, development, meaning and the craft behind  their writing. 

 

 

PANEL: THE MAKING OF A POEM

Hello all, and huge thanks to Jan Conway for organising and our wonderful poets, Anne Casey, Colleen Keating and Denise O’Hagen.
Special thanks to our facilitator, Michele Seminara
It was a great event.  Jan took photos, and hers are probably better than mine (see attached).
We played the Centenary Song at the start and I put leaflets on every second seat.  There were a number of SWW members in the audience, and I hope some non-members picked up the leaflets.  There were only 2 left after the event.  I spoke to a few non-members who expressed an interest in joining SWW so I think we may get some new members.  I also handed out a couple of copies of the Autumn/March Women’s Ink to people who expressed an interest.
Let’s hope Willoughby Council does this again next year and that we are able to have another panel or speaker event there.
With kind regards,
Pippa Kay,
Co-President,
Society of Women Writers NSW Inc.
Mob:  0407 725747
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And from Jan Conway our converor, a lovely note
Thank you all for your kind comments. On the day there was no doubt as to the stars. An enormous thank you to you all. Michele’s questions were insightful and sensitive. The answers considered and honest. It was a privilege for me to work with such authentic, gorgeous women.
Warm regards
Jan
The well know poet, editor,  haikuist  and author of the exquisite poetry book On Wonder,
Vanessa Proctor and I catching up afterwards at the signing table .
Here I am . I got there. So proud I was strong and well again to be there .

    

 

 

The following is an exciting experience ahead. At one stage I was not sure if I could be there

but now I am well and looking forward to meeting with the wonderful poets Anne, Denise and Michele

and being part of the panel discussing our poetry. Thank–you Jan for believing I would be well enough 

and leaving my name on the panel.

Society of Women Writers NSW Inc.Giving Women Writers a Voice

Anne Casey, Colleen Keating, Denise O’Hagan
in conversation with Michele Seminara

The making of a poem

at the Willoughby Literary Festival
Friday, 18 July 2025 | 03:15 PM to 04:30 PM

Anne, Colleen and Denise

 share the inspirations and craft behind their poems with Michele SeminaraThis is a free event – for more information and to reserve your seat go to:
https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Panel-The-making-of-a-poem-1384551764599The festival programme can be found at:
https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-programs/Willoughby-Literary-Festival
Meet our Team Here!

Catchment – Poetry of Place Edition 4

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Thank you to Rodney Williams  Editor of Catchment – Poetry of Place for his dedication to poetry  and for the wonderful publication of Issue No 4

I am thrilled to be included in Issue 4 with two longer form poems and  my first  tanka string

 

Catchment – Poetry of Place : fourth edition

Submissions welcome for Catchment 4.
Thanks to all AHS members who have offered contributions to the first three issues of Catchment – Poetry of Place.

Across the next two months, we look forward to receiving high-quality poems of place, from throughout Australia, both in Japanese-derived tanka and in lengthier European styles of verse!

Rodney Williams
Editor
Catchment – Poetry of Place
Baw Baw Arts Alliance
Gunaikurnai Country
West Gippsland, Victoria

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Dear Contributor

Thanks yet again for your support of Catchment – Poetry of Place: it is greatly appreciated.

You will find that Edition 4 has gone live online, through the Baw Baw Arts Alliance website, viewable through Latest Edition, at this link:

https://www.bawbawartsalliance.org.au/catchment/

While looking forward to receiving further contributions from you in future, we hope that you will enjoy reading our fourth edition, which might bring some warmth into our world, at this time of the southern winter solstice: please feel free to share Catchment with others!

With very best wishes,

Rodney Williams
Editor
Catchment – Poetry of Place
website

Poetica Christi Press 2025 Highly Commended

colleen Poetry, Poetry Awards , , , ,

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13 Alexandra Crt, Woori Yallock, 3139. website : www.poeticachristi.org.au   

email:poetica@iprimus.com.au

 

Dear Colleen,                                 7th of June 2025

I’m delighted to let you know that your poem

Reflection

was awarded Highly Commended by our judge Paul Grover for our 2025 Annual Poetry Competition – Life’s Tapestry.

The list of poems selected by the judge, together with his report, will appear on our website later this month.

When we begin publishing the anthology we’ll keep you informed of its progress. 

Once again, congratulations and best wishes.

Janette Fernando

Managing Editor

Poetica Christi Press

 

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13 Alexandra Crt, Woori Yallock, 3139. website : www.poeticachristi.org.au   

email:poetica@iprimus.com.au

 

Hello again Colleen,

                                 I’m pleased to let you know that your poem Park bench was selected by our judge Paul Grover to be included in our anthology – Life’s Tapestry. The list of poems selected by the judge, together with his report, will appear on our website later this month. When we begin publishing the anthology we’ll keep you informed of its progress.

 

Congratulations and best wishes,

 

Janette Fernando

Managing Editor

Poetica Christi Press

Winter walk by Colleen Keating

colleen Poetry

Winter Walk


I write as a mother, wife, woman, Australian,
Christo-Catholic, Zen Taoist, seeker of beauty,
worker for peace, teacher, idealist, beachcomber
and curious wanderer.

My winter walk today was extra poignant
as I face an operation tomorrow and i have a sense of vulnerability
going through a general anaesethic and the risks involved at my age.

I especially enjoyed the crunch of the autumn leaves under foot
the crispy crunch of the maples
the sleeky softer crinch of the elms
and then  silence underfoot once in the bush
where footfall is absorbed by soft mulshy leaves
as if I am not there
making it easier to disappear into the environment.

I found the beauty of the light overwhelmingly stunning,
the tickling sound of the creek,
the birdsong and scratch of the bush turkey.


I observed and marvelled at the beauty of nature around me.

I especially loved the tiny toadstools growing out of the mossy trunk
and sighting young orchids growing from the tree trunk.

 

 
And I am very gratiful that I could walk into the bush
and that I have my special pocket of bush for escape.

 

 

 

 

I Choose Joy but find my self weeping for our inhumanity by Colleen Keating

colleen Poetry

The poet Lucille Clifton’s says: 

“I choose joy because I am capable of it, and there are those who are not.” 

Life is challenging.

Many of us couldn’t wait to see the end of 2024 

and I like others were longing for a new start.

Yet on New Years Day  I spent time with my diary and was able to write

some memory to be grateful for, in every month.

Sometimes I think we forget the gifts and blessings and graces that come our way.

Of course  for our future, there are deep concerns.
Our environment, forests, trees, rivers, oceans, desert, lakes, all are suffering:
fresh air, clean drinking water, good soil and seed are essential for life
to continue on the earth and they are all at risk.
Our animals, birds, bees, Christmas beetles and many other species are threatened. As I suggest in my recent haiku:

billabong
song of frogs
gone silent

CK

my garden
beetles, bees and bandicoots
missing

CK

And yes, the grandchildren growing up so excitedly to face their world  gives me deep joy,  

but I realise the warring world that they will be contending with is  struggling to find a way to peace. 

There are so many positive signs of people claiming peace but the petro- war and weapons machine is powerful.

Which is why we can’t give up or give in to despair.

We can feel it, but we can’t let it paralyse us.

 I also think often of Gandhi’s words: 

“Anything you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”  

 

And, while I’m on a roll quoting, Marcel Proust says: 

“The purpose of the artist is to draw back the veil that leaves us indifferent before the universe.” 

There is no room for indifference anymore  Indifference is complicity in allowing inhumanity and if one person is treated inhumanely we are all in trouble.

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The Cage of Paralysis: We cannot afford to be complicit

colleen Poetry , , ,

I am called  

you are called

we are called

to be  witness

for the people of Gaza and Ukraine

but how to find the words to write.?

Any words mouthed,  fumble, crack in air

like pottery cracks in the opened kiln

how sharp the splinters of gathered words

* * * *

when i  realised  I was in anguish 

I cried for me, I cried for all of us.

Now I cry for our inhumanity 

I jolt myself many times   . . .this is self pity  

You are not  hungry

You are not in pain

you have all the medications you need

you are not living in fear

You have not lost family

Your house is safe and warm

and watertight.

When the next generation asks what action did you take

to stop the atrocities to which you  daily bear witness 

I can only be silent

and humble with  the helplessness I feel

whispering  I was with them . They were not alone.

I wish they could know they are not alone and how much we care .  

Our pain is the powerlessness that we live

as if in our own cage of paralysis

 

 

 

Eucalypt: Issue 38 2025 ed Julie Anne Thorndyke

colleen Poetry , , , , , , ,

 

 

 

Thank you to the editor Julie  Anne Thorndyke for an exquisite production of the latest Eucalypt  Issue 38.

I can always feel the love and care in the selection and  placement  of  the tanka on the page

which of cousre enriches each one tanka.

Your work is appreciated. 

I am proud to be included with so many fine Tanka writers and  sensitive work  in this latest issue. 

Illustrator: Pem Sarti.

It was so special to be sharing the page with my dear friend Beverley George with our similiar sentiment .

 

a red dragonfly

rests on a white lotus

for a brief moment

time stands still 

in a maelstrom world

Colleen Keating

for an hour

the eastern water dragon

rests beside me . . .

innate trust

and companionship

Beverley George

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It was exciting to see a new tanka from Pip Griffin written after her recent journey to Canberra where she enjoyed the new Installation by Lindy Lee

Lee’s Ouroboros * –

coiled apertures

dance us into light

colour us with rainbows

shower us in stars

Pip Giffin

*Lindy Lee: Ouroboros, National Gallery of  Australia, Canberra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The nightmare Sequence : Holding space humbly and with mercy for the injustice of our times. by Colleen keating

colleen Poetry

The Nightmare Sequence is a searing response to the atrocities in Gaza and beyond since October 2023. Heartbreaking and humane, it is a necessary portrait of the violence committed by Israel and its Western allies.

Through poetry and visual art, Omar Sakr and Safdar Ahmed capture these historic injustices, while also critiquing the role of art and media – including their own – in this time. Born of collective suffering and despair, their collaboration interrogates the position of witness: the terrible and helpless distance of vision, the impact of being exposed to violence of this scale on a daily basis, and what it means to live in a society that is actively participating in the catastrophic destruction of Arabs and Muslims overseas.

With a foreword by Palestinian American poet George Abraham, The Nightmare Sequence is an insightful work of testimony that also considers how art is complicit in Empire. This transcendent book invokes the power of poetry and art to shift hearts and minds; it will serve as a vital record in decades to come.

With profound love and deep sorrow, paper and ink, words and images, Omar Sakr and Safdar Ahmed have created the story of our time. Each page of The Nightmare Sequence presents a provocative offering.

Do we read, look and think?

Do we experience anger and shame?

Do we feel the tenacity of the people of Gaza?

Will we remember their dead?

Will we condemn the killers?

Or will we move on?

Move away and seek the sunshine?’

Tony Birch

 

This is one of the most profound and transformative creative projects I’ve ever encountered: I felt both completely devastated and completely renewed by it. Birthed from and through a genocide, The Nightmare Sequence is an astonishingly original collaboration by two artists who are committed to the intimacies of humanity, the details of injustice, and uncompromising truth-telling. In a world that has rejected the Arab as being worthy of life and dignity, read this book to be reminded of the generosity and love of artists who insist on bearing witness to the trauma and humanity of Palestinians.’

The Weekend Australian on The Lost Arabs

‘In this collection Sakr reveals himself to be that rare beast: a poet with something to say and the means to say it. This is a book of poetry that surges and whispers and shouts and demands to be read in a sitting.’

The Guardian on The Lost Arabs

‘Thrilling … It is rare for such a collection to be a page-turner but [Sakr’s] poetry demands to be read, digested and re-read soon after.’

NSW Premier’s Literary Awards judges on Still Alive

‘Extraordinary … Ahmed’s work stands out as an example of brilliant storytelling created with and through community, a labour of generosity, and love. It is an unflinching critique of policy and discourse that demonstrates the power of art.’

The Age on Still Alive

‘Arrestingly powerful … Sensitive, heart-breaking, stippled with dark humour, it’s hard to imagine a more potent indictment of Australia’s immigration detention, or a clearer call to change it.’