Only four days to get something together but I saw yesterday that a publisher of a forthcoming coffee table book on Melbourne is looking for poems about aspects of Melbourne. Sadly, after having lived close to Melbourne now for the last three years, the best I might offer is some things about the Yarra. I’ve liked living close to a big river for the first time. I’ve written a few things, and taken a few photos like my favourite so far (above) which has something of the urbanisation and something of the wildness still of this place.
Melbourne Poems
Call for submissions : Closing date : March 31st
Poetica Christi Press is seeking submissions of poems on the theme of Melbourne for its forthcoming coffee-table book of Poetry and Artwork.
In particular we would like poems on any of the following –
St Paul’s Cathedral, Degraves St, the Art Gallery, Bourke St Mall, Federation Square, Exhibition Building, Parliament House, The Yarra, Trams, Gardens (Botanic, Alexandra, Fitzroy), the Shrine, Flinders St, Spencer St, Arts Centre Spire, Southbank, MCG, Melbourne University, the old theatres (Princess, Her Majesty’s) Victoria Market, Williamstown, Port of Melbourne, arcades and laneways, State Library, floral clock, bookshops, the Zoo (inc. the butterfly house) al fresco eating, Lygon Street, our closeness to the river, the mix of old and new, the ANZ bank (Cnr Collins and Queen Sts.) birds and wildlife, Flemington, views from tall buildings, the colours of winter, West Gate Bridge, Seasons , the different feel of the east, north, west and south of Melbourne, Multiculturalism.
Please send your poems by email to poeticachristi@netspace.net.au or by mail to PCP, 493 Elgar Rd, Mont Albert Nth, 3129. Ph: 9890 5885
Limit of three poems, up to 80 lines each, per person.
Outline of Melbourne Reflections book:
Like many Melbournians, we have enjoyed a long love affair with this beautiful city. We have dreamed of it being a city where the presence of the spiritual can be felt and experienced. We want this book to be our salute and tribute to the greatness of Melbourne.
Reflections in glass buildings were the original inspiration for this project. Out of this emerged the idea of combining photography and art with reflective poetry that draws on the heart and life of the city of Melbourne.
Sorrowing that land for the city was bought for a pittance, Poetica Christi Press wants to honour the memory of the Wurundjeri people who lived here prior to white settlement. Acknowledging those who are disadvantaged or who struggle with disability, this book will include work about homelessness, mental illness, the underprivileged and those without a voice.
Our book will bring together poetry, artwork and photography to showcase and reflect Melbourne through its people, buildings, street-scapes, through its great annual events, its sporting and cultural interests, and through its multiculturalism.
It is timely for Melbourne to be celebrated, acknowledged and admired. Melbourne is vibrant, enthusiastic and ever changing. It is also a city where artists and writers are inspired and appreciated. No wonder Melbourne is applying to be the second city of Literature in the World! We are pleased that both prominent and emerging poets and artists have contributed to this book.
ith such a range of voices and media, even those who lived all their life in Melbourne will, on reading this book, discover something new about their city. The aim of Melbourne Reflections is to create new perspectives allowing the reader to see this city with new eyes. And so, visitors will fall in love with Melbourne, and Melburnians will find new ways of engaging with it and inspire many to contribute their energies and passions to this great city, in ways that respect and nurture the diversity of our origins and dreams.
thinking about poetry 