October Report

From Jeff the PoetOctober 2010

Hello to one and all. Technology has been at PIP before with one poet reciting from an iphone. Yesterday my poems were so freshly written that I had to recite from my Laptop!! (another first).

We had several apologies this month for unexpected absences. We heard from Gloria, Banjo, Kevin, Trish, Lydia and Ngaire: maybe next month????

Those that did make it along enjoyed all the treats, the lovely fresh sandwiches made by Irene and the tea/coffee.

Eoin Jean and I went along to the Beechmont markets at 9 am and recited some poetry there; we then had to get to Southport for our group. It was a beautiful spring day on the mountain and the fresh air was great. There were four poets and three children reciting poems from memory written by Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant. It was a nice morning; and a good experience, there was a couple of Beaudesert Bush Bards running the morning’s events.

Our optional theme for our afternoon was ‘The Sunshine’ and the subject was well written on, the optional first line ‘Surfers is Paradise (SP)…’ opened up many memories for a few of us and it was great to hear the different views of Surfers, old and new!.

My two freshly written, on Sunday morning, poems were well received and got a few laughs, at the right time so that was good.

Bob told us all about the good things with living in the sunshine and why he lives where he lives, reminding us that it is all there if you need it. He also reminded us about the tragedy with his “Mother-in –law’ and what it is like getting old and crotchety.

Eoin reminisced over the good ol days in SP and advised us to hang onto our wallets because the pollies are always on the bite, he then recited the first poem he had ever written, it was scribed when he was 12 years old and it was about WW11 and was pretty high standard for a young lad.

Brian made a welcome return after what must have been over a year’s absence, his poems are always well received and his selections were as high as his standard always is, it was good to see you Brian and thank you for the poems about life and the good things in it.

Rita is writing some great poems and her three choices were great, reminiscing about SP and then telling her tale about the lost croquet poem and the trip to the bin, three years in the making and well worth the wait. Rita closed with a confessional poem. She revealed she is a “Scrabbler”. I had heard rumours of people meeting to play that game but I have never actually met one before!!!!

Allan came along again and poems are very well written, his poem he resisted the urge to pat Bob on the head and instead regaled us with the story of his long since passed away mate, Ron, and the fond memories of days or beers, gone bye. His second poem had us laughing at being in Austria and then almost crying as a "sat nav" in his car made him wonder who was lost, him or the lady in his encounter with direction seeking and the path to oblivion. His third poem was one by AB Patterson and not one person present had heard it before, it was titled “The last trump” and was a great poem from the master.

Somebody had to follow Allan luckily it was not me, Judi was the one and she did a wonderful job, she took us into her garden of life filled with sunshine and then informed us of all the good things she sees in SP.

Jean made it down from the mountain and shared two great poems with us, the first about her bush walking friends and busy life outdoors, then she questioned the team leaders ability to tell the truth on one of their bush walking expeditions, in relation to time distance and elevation.

Vincent entertained us with his really good ‘rap’ poem about Mr UV Ray trying to corrupt our DNA, very funny indeed, he shared a few limericks, and advised us against wearing alligator shoes to the zoo!! He closed with a requested performance of his wonderfully humorous “Hubcap” poem, much to Irene’s and everyone else’s delight.

Vincent also brought along a work college, Alex. His poems were great and well received, many short ones and all very interesting, from changing the world to experiences in the bush and also knocking off a big red, well done Alex, next month??
Kathy the poet came along for a wee look and said she would return next month with a poem or two and her and her friend Phil thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Sandra made a late entry but squeezed in poem about the jewelry of the stars in the night and informed us she has created a blog for her poems, www.magicalenchantments-sandra.blogspot.com

Saving the best to last was our most successful poet and published author/writer, Joan shared her poem about the benefits of sunshine and educated us about the lack of it in most European countries, where people develop the illness S.A.D. Joan’s second poem was about the book she ghost wrote for Kazimierz Gawor, about a young polish man's experience in WW11, launched on the 03/10/10 on the GC with The Mayor Ron Clarke in attendance.. Joan’s third poem was more about her time in Tennant Creek in the NT, she sure has led an interesting life and has travelled far and wide, we benefit form all these journeys because we get to hear the poems inspired by her life and family; and more importantly we get to call her friend.

Next months optional theme is ‘Children are our future’ and the optional first line is “It was a rainy night in …………………..” Keep up the good work and keep jotting down those one liners that can turn into great poems one day.

Bye for now from Jeff, Irene and all the poets in Paradise.

Jeff