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How Decent Folk Behave
we are all just one small disaster
away from sinking,
and sometimes you only realise
when you're gasping for air
On a daylight street in Minneapolis Minnesota, a Black man is asphyxiated - by callous knee of an officer, by cruel might of state, and under crushing weight of colony. In Melbourne the body of another woman has been found - this time, after catching a late tram home.
The Atlantic has run out of the English alphabet, when christening hurricanes this season. The earth is on fire - from the redwoods of California, to Australia's east coast. The sea draws back, and tsunamis lash out in Samoa and Sumatra. Water rises in Sulawesi and Nagasaki. Bloated cod are surfacing, all along the Murray Darling.
The virus arrives, and the virus thrives. Authorities seal the public housing towers up, and truck in one cop to every five residents. Notre Dame is ablaze - the cathedral spire blackened, and teetering.
Out in Biloela, the deportation vans have arrived. Every Friday, in cities all across the world, children are walking out of school. The wolves are circling. The wolves are circling.
These poems speak of the world that is, and sing for a world that may one day be.
away from sinking,
and sometimes you only realise
when you're gasping for air
On a daylight street in Minneapolis Minnesota, a Black man is asphyxiated - by callous knee of an officer, by cruel might of state, and under crushing weight of colony. In Melbourne the body of another woman has been found - this time, after catching a late tram home.
The Atlantic has run out of the English alphabet, when christening hurricanes this season. The earth is on fire - from the redwoods of California, to Australia's east coast. The sea draws back, and tsunamis lash out in Samoa and Sumatra. Water rises in Sulawesi and Nagasaki. Bloated cod are surfacing, all along the Murray Darling.
The virus arrives, and the virus thrives. Authorities seal the public housing towers up, and truck in one cop to every five residents. Notre Dame is ablaze - the cathedral spire blackened, and teetering.
Out in Biloela, the deportation vans have arrived. Every Friday, in cities all across the world, children are walking out of school. The wolves are circling. The wolves are circling.
These poems speak of the world that is, and sing for a world that may one day be.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2021
16 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Beneba Clarke
27 books399 followersMaxine Beneba Clarke is an Australian writer and slam poetry champion of Afro-Caribbean descent. She is the author of the poetry collections Gil Scott Heron is on Parole (Picaro Press, 2009) and Nothing Here Needs Fixing (Picaro Press, 2013), the title poem of which won the 2013 Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize.
Her debut short story collection, Foreign Soil, won the 2013 Victorian Premier's Award for an Unpublished Manuscript and will be published by Hachette Australia in early 2014.
As a spoken word performer, Maxine's work has been delivered on stages and airways, and in festivals across the country, including at the Melbourne Writers Festival (2008, 2010, 2013), Melbourne International Arts Festival (2012), the Arts Centre (2009) and the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival (2013).
Maxine’s short fiction, essays and poetry have been published in numerous publications, including Overland, the Age, Big Issue, Cordite Poetry Review, Harvest, Voiceworks, Going Down Swinging, Mascara, Meanjin, Unusual Work and Peril.
She has been poetry editor of the academic journal Social Alternatives (2012), and spoken word editor for Overland literary journal (2011-12).
Maxine has conducted poetry classes and workshops for many organisations, including RMIT, The Victorian Association for the Teaching of English (VATE), Writers Victoria, Kensington Neighbourhood House and the Society of Women Writers (Vic).
Her debut short story collection, Foreign Soil, won the 2013 Victorian Premier's Award for an Unpublished Manuscript and will be published by Hachette Australia in early 2014.
As a spoken word performer, Maxine's work has been delivered on stages and airways, and in festivals across the country, including at the Melbourne Writers Festival (2008, 2010, 2013), Melbourne International Arts Festival (2012), the Arts Centre (2009) and the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival (2013).
Maxine’s short fiction, essays and poetry have been published in numerous publications, including Overland, the Age, Big Issue, Cordite Poetry Review, Harvest, Voiceworks, Going Down Swinging, Mascara, Meanjin, Unusual Work and Peril.
She has been poetry editor of the academic journal Social Alternatives (2012), and spoken word editor for Overland literary journal (2011-12).
Maxine has conducted poetry classes and workshops for many organisations, including RMIT, The Victorian Association for the Teaching of English (VATE), Writers Victoria, Kensington Neighbourhood House and the Society of Women Writers (Vic).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
January 15, 2022
I got a lot out of this! One of the few poetry collections that I’ve read, but I found the medium an incredibly effective way of discussing the trauma and chaos of 2020, while still drawing attention to the pockets of joy and hope. It’s concise and direct, beautifully paced, and still manages to be life affirming despite some v bleak, serious subject matter.
I also found it quite profound how Maxine places poems about global/national events right alongside poems about personal experience, and how all of these poems speak to each other in a very political way. The section “trouble walking” was probably my favourite.
Thank you for the lend Roisin! X
I also found it quite profound how Maxine places poems about global/national events right alongside poems about personal experience, and how all of these poems speak to each other in a very political way. The section “trouble walking” was probably my favourite.
Thank you for the lend Roisin! X
January 3, 2022
I don’t recall ever having read a poetry collection in basically one sitting, but that’s exactly how How Decent Folk Behave demands to be read.
The poems are timely and poignant, and felt especially fitting to be reading as we go into another year.
I love Maxine’s writing so much and how she manages to capture both nuanced and broader experiences, while weaving in tiny bursts of customs that are uniquely Australian.
The poems are timely and poignant, and felt especially fitting to be reading as we go into another year.
I love Maxine’s writing so much and how she manages to capture both nuanced and broader experiences, while weaving in tiny bursts of customs that are uniquely Australian.
January 11, 2022
I think poetry is the only medium that could summarise 2020 in one book. Wild ride, both living and reliving it in Clarke’s words.
January 30, 2022
Fantastic poetry collection and a precise documentation of the last few years. Totally readable.
April 19, 2022
Omg! 5 stars plus from me. Truth bombs brilliantly observed and so lyrically told on every page. Poetry that packs a punch. Eg "and the teacher would collect the savings basket heavy with mowed lawns, and washed dishes, and helping dad fix the car." "Their iPhones held up viral-high". Last poem, Fire moves faster, powerful summary of 2020. Will reread and reread. Feel very blessed to have MBC in our midst and reflecting such important parts of our lives and worlds back to us
October 3, 2023
One of the best poetry collections I’ve ever read. Every time I read ‘fire moves faster’ I cry. It’s so hard to summarise the collective pain experienced during the pandemic, but Maxine does it so beautifully, and reminds us of the joyful moments we had too. A snapshot of 2020 that perfectly reflects a period that was bizarre, traumatising and occasionally hopeful.
November 16, 2021
4.5 Stars
January 18, 2022
Relevant and reverent. Perfection in every poem.
January 27, 2022
Incredible collection of poems.
November 25, 2021
Simply flawless. I never thought poetry would make it into my top reads in any year. I know I’ll come back to this often.
August 19, 2022
THE book of our times, right now and through these tough past few years. Poetry to make you sit up, remember, reflect, and commit to do and be better.
From lockdown experiences, to raising boys to be better men in light of a recent murder of a woman in the streets, to the desperate need to Raise The Rate, and the depths of political corruption of our times.
Contemporary now issues, like robodebt and the selective advocacy for a family of asylum seekers. The Black Lives Matter moments of these last few years. And COVID, in all it's repercussions on life as we know it.
I have had the privilege of hearing Maxine read a few of these this year at a Writers Festival, and her voice and delivery is magical, and rang through these pages, making it even more powerful.
An instant contender for book of the year for me.
From lockdown experiences, to raising boys to be better men in light of a recent murder of a woman in the streets, to the desperate need to Raise The Rate, and the depths of political corruption of our times.
Contemporary now issues, like robodebt and the selective advocacy for a family of asylum seekers. The Black Lives Matter moments of these last few years. And COVID, in all it's repercussions on life as we know it.
I have had the privilege of hearing Maxine read a few of these this year at a Writers Festival, and her voice and delivery is magical, and rang through these pages, making it even more powerful.
An instant contender for book of the year for me.
October 23, 2021
Received this thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal @hachetteaus @maxinebeneba
Back in school I never understood Poetry, English teachers would ask "What do you think the Author is saying" Honestly, I had no idea...I used to think if they want me to know they would write so it was clear what they meant.
However, 30 plus years later a lot has changed in this world mostly for good but some things have not changed at all.
This collection of poems, hits home. We all know what's going on in the world but we turn a blind eye. You don't need to try and figure out what Maxine is saying, she smacks you in the face with it.
I could not put this done; it was confronting, honest, sad and unfortunately real.
To be released late Oct 2021
Back in school I never understood Poetry, English teachers would ask "What do you think the Author is saying" Honestly, I had no idea...I used to think if they want me to know they would write so it was clear what they meant.
However, 30 plus years later a lot has changed in this world mostly for good but some things have not changed at all.
This collection of poems, hits home. We all know what's going on in the world but we turn a blind eye. You don't need to try and figure out what Maxine is saying, she smacks you in the face with it.
I could not put this done; it was confronting, honest, sad and unfortunately real.
To be released late Oct 2021
October 28, 2021
WOW! This one powerful book … small in size but packs a real punch! Poetry can convey what is sometimes difficult to express. Maxine through her eloquent prose has captured the thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears that many of us have been confronted with over these past few somewhat traumatic times.
The monsters are out
And the women of melbourne,
We’re leaving early again:
Sending are you home? Texts glancing
Over shivering shoulders keeping
Friends on the line until
They key’s in the lock
Who is Maxine?
Maxine Beneba Clarke is an Australian writer of short fiction, non-fiction and poetry and has been published in numerous publications. Her critically acclaimed short fiction collection, Foreign Soil won the ABIA for Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2015 and the 2015 Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writing at the 2015 ABIAs and the 2015 Stella Prize. She was also named as one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists for 2015. Maxine has published three poetry collections and has just released this new collection, ‘How Decent Folk Behave’.
How Decent Folk Behave is an extraordinary collection of poetry on wide ranging topics. From floods and fires, racial violence, violence against women, #metoo, #blacklivesmatter and, of course, the pandemic. Maxine manages to cleverly capture the many challenges of what many of us have been feeling over recent times. I wanted to read this book as I feel that the language of poetry would succinctly capture these plethora of emotions the world is witnessing.
For a moment, we forgot the pandemic
And the floods, and the shootings
And the blasts, forgot to wonder
Where next month’s rent
Would be coming from
And the whole world stood
And watched, in awe
Who is Maxine?
A literary phenomenon. She takes these matters and uses her words to be both confronting and consoling, to be honest yet inspirational in this rare yet pure form of storytelling. She is angry, she is proud … she is a powerhouse in this literary genre. In her own words:
‘How Decent Folk Behave allowed me to write on the things that have permeated our consciousness over the last few years. To me, poetry is also a hopeful, joyful space. In a busy world, poetry can be a long ‘tapping out’ of the world around us, or else can be read at leisure, in stops and starts, filling the gaps between living with something profound, or funny, or nostalgic, soul-stirring. It provides a moment off the treadmill – to stop and reflect, and listen.’
Sometimes a handout is a hand up,
That’s that thing
And it’s never you
It’s never you,
Until it is
The monsters are out
And the women of melbourne,
We’re leaving early again:
Sending are you home? Texts glancing
Over shivering shoulders keeping
Friends on the line until
They key’s in the lock
Who is Maxine?
Maxine Beneba Clarke is an Australian writer of short fiction, non-fiction and poetry and has been published in numerous publications. Her critically acclaimed short fiction collection, Foreign Soil won the ABIA for Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2015 and the 2015 Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writing at the 2015 ABIAs and the 2015 Stella Prize. She was also named as one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists for 2015. Maxine has published three poetry collections and has just released this new collection, ‘How Decent Folk Behave’.
How Decent Folk Behave is an extraordinary collection of poetry on wide ranging topics. From floods and fires, racial violence, violence against women, #metoo, #blacklivesmatter and, of course, the pandemic. Maxine manages to cleverly capture the many challenges of what many of us have been feeling over recent times. I wanted to read this book as I feel that the language of poetry would succinctly capture these plethora of emotions the world is witnessing.
For a moment, we forgot the pandemic
And the floods, and the shootings
And the blasts, forgot to wonder
Where next month’s rent
Would be coming from
And the whole world stood
And watched, in awe
Who is Maxine?
A literary phenomenon. She takes these matters and uses her words to be both confronting and consoling, to be honest yet inspirational in this rare yet pure form of storytelling. She is angry, she is proud … she is a powerhouse in this literary genre. In her own words:
‘How Decent Folk Behave allowed me to write on the things that have permeated our consciousness over the last few years. To me, poetry is also a hopeful, joyful space. In a busy world, poetry can be a long ‘tapping out’ of the world around us, or else can be read at leisure, in stops and starts, filling the gaps between living with something profound, or funny, or nostalgic, soul-stirring. It provides a moment off the treadmill – to stop and reflect, and listen.’
Sometimes a handout is a hand up,
That’s that thing
And it’s never you
It’s never you,
Until it is
August 22, 2022
Unique. Clarke explores the rollercoaster of the past few years in her beautiful poetry, mixing thoughtful content on the page in a non-traditional presentation. It's as if every word has been placed with utmost care. A short, approximately 1hr, read but well worth that hour and much more as you ponder the poetry afterwards.
December 27, 2021
A timely and outstanding collection of poetry.
December 27, 2024
Yep, I'll be pulling this one out to teach in my English classes.
October 25, 2021
✍️ This is an inspirational, outstanding and emotional collection of poems about critical circumstances and the present world we live in today. It was filled with such heartfelt and positively marvellous storytelling, raw empathy, verse and cadence.
January 6, 2022
This is a tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking collection of poetry that just blew me away. I will revisit this for certain. There are so many themes explored here, spanning a huge period of time and ending in the right here and now.
November 27, 2021
I've been musing on why I read poetry. What is it that I get out of the experience that I don't find in novels, non-fiction, film and television series?
Maxine Beneba Clarke's new collection, How Decent Folk Behave, is the catharsis I didn't entirely realise I needed.
It hurt to remember the anxiety of the bushfires and the other ways our lives have been irrevocably changed and normality suspended by the global pandemic. It was painful and grieving to remember the stories of domestic violence, sexual violence against women, and lethal, systemically-endorsed violence against Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Colour. It was angering to remember our politicians rebuking school children protesting inaction on climate change.
But there is a strange kind of catharsis in the poetry. Maxine Beneba Clarke has a pithy, tight turn of phrase: the gut-punch of each poem's final couplet. And this poetry didn't necessarily make sense of the horror for me, but it awakened and renewed some fight in me that has been dulled by the tedium of lockdown and post-lockdown anxiety.
This is excellent poetry, friends. Read it.
From 'my feminism'
"... my feminism
is intersectional, or
my feminism
is a lie...
my feminism
will always question
my feminism
must get wise...
all feminism is flawed, but
my feminism
will try"
Maxine Beneba Clarke's new collection, How Decent Folk Behave, is the catharsis I didn't entirely realise I needed.
It hurt to remember the anxiety of the bushfires and the other ways our lives have been irrevocably changed and normality suspended by the global pandemic. It was painful and grieving to remember the stories of domestic violence, sexual violence against women, and lethal, systemically-endorsed violence against Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Colour. It was angering to remember our politicians rebuking school children protesting inaction on climate change.
But there is a strange kind of catharsis in the poetry. Maxine Beneba Clarke has a pithy, tight turn of phrase: the gut-punch of each poem's final couplet. And this poetry didn't necessarily make sense of the horror for me, but it awakened and renewed some fight in me that has been dulled by the tedium of lockdown and post-lockdown anxiety.
This is excellent poetry, friends. Read it.
From 'my feminism'
"... my feminism
is intersectional, or
my feminism
is a lie...
my feminism
will always question
my feminism
must get wise...
all feminism is flawed, but
my feminism
will try"
January 9, 2023
Wow
How Decent Folk Behave is a magnificent and extremely thoughtful collection of poems.
The poems discuss 2020, racism, sexism, Australian politics and laws, the health system, covid 19, massacres, immigration policies, and police brutality. The poems hit hard. The whole collection can be read all at once. I found the text hard to put down once I began reading.
'My Feminism' discusses intersectional feminism. "My feminism is inevitably flawed, but will always try" p.53
...and will elevate us all" p.54
'Capital' is a hard hitting poem that discusses parliament house and the sexist culture that permeates.
" where the boys mostly learn:
You study hard,
You might well work here
One day, mate
While the girls hang back ,
And button their collars:
This place
Is where women
Get raped" p.64
'Home to Biloela'
"For the love of God,
It feels different, this time,
We cant send them back,
We know them" p.98
How Decent Folk Behave is a magnificent and extremely thoughtful collection of poems.
The poems discuss 2020, racism, sexism, Australian politics and laws, the health system, covid 19, massacres, immigration policies, and police brutality. The poems hit hard. The whole collection can be read all at once. I found the text hard to put down once I began reading.
'My Feminism' discusses intersectional feminism. "My feminism is inevitably flawed, but will always try" p.53
...and will elevate us all" p.54
'Capital' is a hard hitting poem that discusses parliament house and the sexist culture that permeates.
" where the boys mostly learn:
You study hard,
You might well work here
One day, mate
While the girls hang back ,
And button their collars:
This place
Is where women
Get raped" p.64
'Home to Biloela'
"For the love of God,
It feels different, this time,
We cant send them back,
We know them" p.98
December 14, 2021
" art is at the heart
of all that we are "
Wow what an amazing collection of Poetry that is so relevant to today. Clarke dives straight into the core of so many important topics, the covid-19 pandemic, black lives matter movement, politics of the USA and Australia, growing up as a person of colour and so much more. Everything felt heartfelt, real, tragic and raw.
If you're a reader of poetry (and Australian) this is a must read.
of all that we are "
Wow what an amazing collection of Poetry that is so relevant to today. Clarke dives straight into the core of so many important topics, the covid-19 pandemic, black lives matter movement, politics of the USA and Australia, growing up as a person of colour and so much more. Everything felt heartfelt, real, tragic and raw.
If you're a reader of poetry (and Australian) this is a must read.
May 13, 2022
Wonderful collection. I will revisit this again and again
November 26, 2021
3.5/5
If I had to describe this poetry volume in one word, it would be: unflinching.
It opens with a quote about an artist's duty being to reflect the times, and that's certainly a duty Clarke has taken on board here.
While ostensibly a poetry "collection", I'd argue this is a single piece to be consumed in one bite. Kind of like how some musicians argue against shuffling their album, stating that the art is in the product as a whole rather than its individual parts, so too here I feel the volume paints a picture when read in its entirety. It places the events of the disconcerting year that was 2020 firmly within the context of the multigenerational traumas and struggles that have faced individuals, society and in fact the planet for a lot longer than a single year.
Topics covered here are wide ranging, from feminism to health inequality to police brutality to fire and zoom meetings and covid, to the deportation of the Biloela family, to an interesting take on abortion. It is at times confronting and simultaneously personal and topical.
This is modern prose-like poetry and I admit that line-breaks-make-it-poetry isn't my personal bent when it comes to verse. That notwithstanding, it is nonetheless powerful to bear witness to the fire and raw honesty with which the author expresses her truth.
If I had to describe this poetry volume in one word, it would be: unflinching.
It opens with a quote about an artist's duty being to reflect the times, and that's certainly a duty Clarke has taken on board here.
While ostensibly a poetry "collection", I'd argue this is a single piece to be consumed in one bite. Kind of like how some musicians argue against shuffling their album, stating that the art is in the product as a whole rather than its individual parts, so too here I feel the volume paints a picture when read in its entirety. It places the events of the disconcerting year that was 2020 firmly within the context of the multigenerational traumas and struggles that have faced individuals, society and in fact the planet for a lot longer than a single year.
Topics covered here are wide ranging, from feminism to health inequality to police brutality to fire and zoom meetings and covid, to the deportation of the Biloela family, to an interesting take on abortion. It is at times confronting and simultaneously personal and topical.
This is modern prose-like poetry and I admit that line-breaks-make-it-poetry isn't my personal bent when it comes to verse. That notwithstanding, it is nonetheless powerful to bear witness to the fire and raw honesty with which the author expresses her truth.
November 2, 2021
This collection of poems covers topics such as feminism, racism, climate change, and covid-19 just to name a few. I haven’t read much poetry, but I knew I was going to love this book the moment I read the synopsis. And holy shit I was so right! From the first page I was immediately drawn in and captivated by the words Maxine has blessed us with. The writing and structure is so beautiful; I cried a lot and I snapped my fingers a lot. I haven’t annotated a book in a long time, but I HAD to do something for this book.
The way that the topics of racism and intersectional feminism are approached are something to be applauded; I have no words beyond I was completely and utterly captivated by this book. I’ll savour this read for a very long time. Everyone needs to read this masterpiece; this has easily become one of my favourite books!!!
Thank you kindly to @hachetteaus for providing me with this review copy!
The way that the topics of racism and intersectional feminism are approached are something to be applauded; I have no words beyond I was completely and utterly captivated by this book. I’ll savour this read for a very long time. Everyone needs to read this masterpiece; this has easily become one of my favourite books!!!
Thank you kindly to @hachetteaus for providing me with this review copy!
December 5, 2021
Have I told you lately how much I adore Maxine Beneba Clarke's poetry??
Because I ADORE Maxine Beneba Clarke's poetry.
This collection was just. Chef's kiss. Maxine Beneba Clarke has always been able to put words to my feelings regarding life, events, movements. In a beautiful and eloquent way that I would never be able to manage. How do I feel about 2020? Read her poem titled Fire Moves Faster. Every time there's more news of a white man who has gone on a rampage? Read Wolf Pack. Every time another woman is murdered in Melbourne? Read The Monsters Are Out.
This week with the federal parliament trying to push through the Religious Discrimination bill? There's Section 116, a delight that I wish my younger self had, had. Maxine's words are always beautiful and hard hitting. A solar plexus punch, a heaving sob, a burning rage.
Pure excellence.
Because I ADORE Maxine Beneba Clarke's poetry.
This collection was just. Chef's kiss. Maxine Beneba Clarke has always been able to put words to my feelings regarding life, events, movements. In a beautiful and eloquent way that I would never be able to manage. How do I feel about 2020? Read her poem titled Fire Moves Faster. Every time there's more news of a white man who has gone on a rampage? Read Wolf Pack. Every time another woman is murdered in Melbourne? Read The Monsters Are Out.
This week with the federal parliament trying to push through the Religious Discrimination bill? There's Section 116, a delight that I wish my younger self had, had. Maxine's words are always beautiful and hard hitting. A solar plexus punch, a heaving sob, a burning rage.
Pure excellence.
June 7, 2022
How Decent Folk Behave by Maxine Beneba Clarke is a compelling, thought provoking and powerful collection of poetry that captures the challenges of the last decade and in particular the politics and trauma of the last couple or years. Presented eloquently and lyrically this collection helps convey the systemic injustices faced by Black and POC, females, the poor and socially disadvantaged, as well as reflect on the challenges faced due to climate change and the pandemic.
Maxine Beneba Clarke is an amazing talent and in this collection reflects the world back at us. I always find it hard to review poetry however her works here can be read cover to cover, or can be sampled, put down and come back to, depending on the readers needs/mood at the time. I highly recommend 👌
Maxine Beneba Clarke is an amazing talent and in this collection reflects the world back at us. I always find it hard to review poetry however her works here can be read cover to cover, or can be sampled, put down and come back to, depending on the readers needs/mood at the time. I highly recommend 👌
January 24, 2024
As a lover of poets like Mary Oliver, I found it difficult to accept this as ‘poetry’ at first. Instead of evoking imagery and emotions or encouraging the soul searching I am used to, these poems share modern day stories about injustice, pain, challenges and trauma. Yet, I could not put it down…
Then thought occurred me - imagine our newspapers reported their stories like this; using minimal yet powerful language and short sentences that sit wherever they want on the page… with playfulness and freedom from traditional structures!
And some of these poems hit me so hard in their truth-telling and candidness, that by the end I was converted to this new post-pandemic, keeping it real kind of poetry.
I will have to read it all again now!
Then thought occurred me - imagine our newspapers reported their stories like this; using minimal yet powerful language and short sentences that sit wherever they want on the page… with playfulness and freedom from traditional structures!
And some of these poems hit me so hard in their truth-telling and candidness, that by the end I was converted to this new post-pandemic, keeping it real kind of poetry.
I will have to read it all again now!
September 15, 2023
To find poetry that glides off the page is a rare thing. But to find poetry that does this while telling important social messages; even rarer. Pick up a copy of this unusual time-capsule into 2020 which is capable of making you feel both white guilt ~and~ a desire to be better, to advocate for those who need us, to remember that life is damn tough for people of colour. A tasteful, timely reminder. Crazy what art can do. Now, to finish the dish, lightly dust with an Australiana-core aesthetic (think; lots of home team references). You can then garnish (to taste) with some 90's nostalgia. Anyway, its perfect. A magnificent collection.
December 30, 2021
This poetry collection feels very down to earth, topical, and to the point. While I enjoy reading more typically 'poetic' poetry that is more experimental with its imagery and word use, this was very refreshing. The content of the words is more important than the words themselves. The overall message is the focus, and that message is conveyed very poignantly. If the news and politics of the last two years has exhausted you, this might be a confronting and tiring read, but I'd still highly recommend it.
January 9, 2022
It was refreshing to read a collection which captured the reality that I/many of us are living in right now, & particularly in the past 2 years with everything going on around the world…
For me, it elicited both the anger and grief felt over what was lost these past couple years, as well as the hopefulness that comes with moving forward - even if that’s our only choice. I also appreciated how it portrayed various experiences of POC in Australia - a still racist country.
My favourite in this collection would probably be the final poem, ‘fire moves faster’.
For me, it elicited both the anger and grief felt over what was lost these past couple years, as well as the hopefulness that comes with moving forward - even if that’s our only choice. I also appreciated how it portrayed various experiences of POC in Australia - a still racist country.
My favourite in this collection would probably be the final poem, ‘fire moves faster’.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews