The Banjo and Joan

Joan Small

Tribute to Joan

A link from Eoin McDougall, poet friend and journalist

I have published a tribute to Joan http://www.ianmcdougall.org/vale-joan-small.html

and also on my and Southport Star’s Facebook pages. 

https://www.facebook.com/southportstar/?ref=br_rs

The only criteria for choosing anything is:

 ‘Does it energize me?’ or ‘Does it de-energize me?’

Choose only those things that energize you and you will be energized for life

Be like a child and open yourself up to the Infinite Possibilities of life.

‘Joie de Vivre’ – Joy of Life

Joan Small.

Poetry from the Members of the ‘Poetry In Paradise’ Club

Poetry from the Members of the ‘Poetry In Paradise’ Club
 (Founded 2004)

The ‘Poetry In Paradise’ poetry club Gold Coast was formed in 2004 by myself Jeff Goudy commencing at ‘Christabellas’ in Harbour Town Biggerra Waters for three months. Then Evergreen at Bundall for a year. The Teahouse at Mudgeeraba five years. Jumbo Java at Southport for six months. Despite the need to move to several different venues, the core of loyal poets have maintained their support for ‘Poetry In Paradise’ and the club has continued to grow.

The group has met at the Southport Library since 2010 and we meet on the 3^rd Sunday of each month from (arrive at 12) 1pm to 3.30 pm. All poets and lovers of poetry are welcome.

We have tried to ensure that the encouraging and supportive atmosphere has been maintained. Poets are welcome to bring and read or recite their own poetry of all types and genres, or recite their occasional favorite published poem. In respect to the ladies present it is asked that swearing be kept at a minimum please. There are other local venues more supportive and suitable for strong language. Some poets follow the Australian Bush Poetry metre while others choose a wide and varied path.

“The artist brings something into the world that didn’t exist before, and  does so without destroying something else”.

John Updike.

The atmosphere is one of camaraderie and fun. Jamie supplies some tea/coffee cakes pies sausage rolls or cool drinks at her café in the foyer.

The poems can be on any theme or subject and can be written in any style. Each month there is an OPTIONAL theme and an OPTIONAL first line to provide some inspiration if you are staring at a blank canvas.

Vale Joan Small.

Vale Joan Small.

Someone needed you more than us Joan

Your reason and your rhyme

They didn’t ask if you were ready

Someone took your time

But they cannot steal the memories

Your face amid the gloom

We will always have the words you left,

Smiles that lit the room.

How beautiful the memory Joan

That takes us back in years

Those Christmas pictures that Marta took

Sat amongst your peers

Reading our poems at ‘Banjo’s’ place

A damper in the coals

Sparks rising into the starless night,

Friends and kindred souls.

I’ll never forget the “Book Launch” Joan

The atmosphere was mad

Opera singing and ‘Yowie Man’

What a time we had!

A lovely day surrounded by friends

It really was a blast

I wish we were all back there again,

Safely in the past.

I love ‘The Rock in the River’ Joan

The message that you sent

About life and all its vagaries

What it was you meant

I love ‘Memory’s Illusions’ too

And how you found your peace

I’m glad you had clear memory lass

That blessed gift -  release

You were the rock in the river Joan

That gave the stream its voice

And patterns in the water flowing

Reason to rejoice

Creating all the swirling eddies

A dance-floor for a leaf

A haven for a fragile tadpole,

Sheltered underneath.

Your life was filled with lots of challenge

With joy and laughter too

Family and friends from everywhere

We’ll remember you

And when in time we meet again lass

We’ll know how to find you

You will be the rock in the river

We will surround you.

Tom Jones

An Impressive Lady

Once, in a while, someone crosses your path

Who leaves a lasting impression.

And if Joan was there at our Sunday meet

I knew it would be a great session.

For a vital lady, she truly was

With a smile and a twinkling eye.

And although I didn’t know Joan so well,

Her poetry standard was high.

Her verses filled in the blanks for us all

With tales of outback Tennant Creek.

We listened entranced to her travelogues:

Adventures she’d readily seek.

Joan immersed herself in the joys of life,

Idleness was never her style:

Contributing to communities

Always going that extra mile.

So, Joan, you left well before your time,

We will miss your humour and wit.

Who will keep us all on the meter track

And remind us to never quit?

With fond memories

Kathy Watt

March 2017

Praise for our departed Joan

Gone is the Lady with the Lovely Smile:

Gentle Joan who tarried with us a while,

Partaking of our Poetry in Paradise , not as a guest,

But an essential part of it; so many things said in jest:

Joan would laughingly chide us for a rhyme,

That seemed to her not right in time.

I think that where you've gone, dear Joan,

Other poets are waiting and you won't be alone.

You'll probably organize another Poetry in Paradise Meeting,

Don't forget to be the MC and do the welcoming greeting.

We miss your happy smile

And won't forget you in a long, long, while -

Probably not until we've joined that long or short mile

To another Poetry Meeting in Paradise.

R.I.P

MANYA