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Dreaming in the Urban Areas
Lisa Bellear’s poetry moves sharply between street-smart portrayals of poverty and dispossession, and the complexity of Black love, identity and experience. She reaches into the unspeakable parts of a colonial past in order to unpick the ongoing repercussions of Australia’s invasion and history.
Written with poetic prowess and political bite, Bellear’s work is a reckoning force set against a backdrop of urban community and strength. Her boundless energy and activism shine throughout, ensuring that each poem has a striking clarity of vision. Dreaming in the Urban Areas is an incandescent work of integrity and truth that charts the enduring struggles for survival and recognition.
Lisa Bellear (1961-2006) was a Goenpul woman of the Noonuccal people of Minjerribah, Queensland. She was a respected poet, photographer, activist, spokeswoman, dramatist, comedian and broadcaster. Her work in social justice, campaigning for equality and Indigenous rights, and her contribution to Indigenous writing, academia and the arts had a huge impact on many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Notably, Lisa was a presenter on Melbourne's 3CR radio network's Not Another Koori Show, and performed her poetry in Australia, North America and across Europe. Dreaming in the Urban Areas was her first, and only, published poetry collection.
Written with poetic prowess and political bite, Bellear’s work is a reckoning force set against a backdrop of urban community and strength. Her boundless energy and activism shine throughout, ensuring that each poem has a striking clarity of vision. Dreaming in the Urban Areas is an incandescent work of integrity and truth that charts the enduring struggles for survival and recognition.
Lisa Bellear (1961-2006) was a Goenpul woman of the Noonuccal people of Minjerribah, Queensland. She was a respected poet, photographer, activist, spokeswoman, dramatist, comedian and broadcaster. Her work in social justice, campaigning for equality and Indigenous rights, and her contribution to Indigenous writing, academia and the arts had a huge impact on many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Notably, Lisa was a presenter on Melbourne's 3CR radio network's Not Another Koori Show, and performed her poetry in Australia, North America and across Europe. Dreaming in the Urban Areas was her first, and only, published poetry collection.
- GenresPoetry
112 pages, ebook
Published June 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 22, 2025
Classic poetry of an icon, many of the entries are memorable for their power and sophistication
April 15, 2025
I'm thrilled that I got to read this poetry collection.
May 25, 2025
Despite the passage of time, these are (in some cases, sadly) still deeply relevant pieces.
October 13, 2025
Listened to the audiobook on Borrowbox as physical book was not in their range.
Good selection of poems, enjoyed listening to them.
Good selection of poems, enjoyed listening to them.
January 27, 2026
Four stars for part one, five stars for part two. Would love to have a physical copy of this one day.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews