Some poets transform our understanding of poetry, and Wislawa Szymborska is one of those rare voices. Her work, born from the ruins of World War II, offers a profound, unflinching clarity.
As Birgitta Trotzig noted in the presentation speech at the Award of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Wislawa Szymborska, âthe starting point is the experience of a catastrophe, the ground caving in beneath her, the complete collapse of a faith.â But this devastation leads to a radical honesty and a refusal of false comfort, expressed in âa language that makes things relative, a language that methodically starts from scratch.â
The result, as Robert Hass said, is poetry that is âaccessible and deeply human and a joyâthough it is a dark kind of joy.â
Listen as Steve Meyrick, co-founder of 5 Islands Press, reads Szymborskaâs âReturning Birds,â and experience the profound clarity of her words.
What feelings or thoughts does this poem bring up for you? Share with us in the comments.
#wislawaszymborska #poetryreading #5islandspress #marktredinnick #poetrycommunity #nobellaureate #polishpoets #literarygems #poetryofwar
âLet us regenerate in the deep soil of language, in the delicious complexity of poetry that is alive to its history, to the systems that sustain us.â - Tegan Gigante
Tegan Gigante, an esteemed member of the 5 Islands Press Advisory Board, reflects on the intricate interplay of language and history that poetry embodies. With a profound commitment to nurturing and expanding the literary landscape, Tegan brings a deep appreciation for the way poetry intertwines with our collective and individual narratives.
As a pivotal figure in guiding the vision of 5 Islands Press, Teganâs dedication helps shape the future of Australian poetry and literature.
What role does poetry play in your life? How does it resonate with your personal experiences or creative pursuits? Share your reflections in the comments below. đąâ¨
#talkingpoetry #5islandspress #poetrycommunity #creativewriting #literaryarts #inspiration #poetry #poetrylovers
â¨Immerse yourself in the evocative beauty of âThis Duskâ from Robyn Rowlandâs forthcoming book, âSteep Curve.â đ Listen as Robyn reads her powerful poem, a highlight of her deeply personal collection of final father poems.
Returning to her roots with 5 Islands Press, Robynâs new book marks a homecoming after publishing her last three books in Ireland and Turkey. She has previously published six books with 5 Islands Press and even served as their editor. Welcome back, Robyn! đŤ
In âSteep Curve,â Robyn shares her journey of caring for her ageing father, living together for two and a half years, including during the COVID lockdown. Their relationship grows through physical and emotional challenges, resulting in an intimate bond few experience. đ
Robyn Rowland, an acclaimed poet with eleven poetry books published across Australia, Ireland, and Turkey, has received numerous accolades, including winning or being listed for the ACU Poetry Prize, Newcastle Poetry Prize, and Peter Porter Poetry Prize, among others. We canât wait to turn the pages of your remarkable new book. @robyn.rowland
#poetry #robynrowland #steepcurve #5islandspress #poetrycommunity #newrelease #poem #readingpoetry
đ Talking Poetry with @garethsionjenkins
âPoetry. That wonderfully expressive, instinctual channeling of language is the generative core of my creative practice.â - Gareth Sion Jenkins
Gareth Sion Jenkins, a valued member of the Five Islands Press Editorial Advisory Board, shares his profound thoughts on what poetry means to him. From his mother reading Gerard Manley Hopkins to him in the womb, to his award-winning collections and multimedia projects, poetry has always been at the heart of Garethâs creative journey.
As someone who has played a crucial role in keeping 5 Islands Press alive and thriving, Gareth continues to inspire us.
What does poetry mean to you? How has poetry helped you express yourself or navigate through life? Share your thoughts in the comments below. đżđŤ
#talkingpoetry #garethsionjenkins #5islandspress #poetrycommunity #creativewriting #literaryarts #inspiration #poetry
This week, we would like to share with you a poem by the Salvadoran poet Roque Dalton, read by Steve Meyrick, Mark Tredinnickâs partner in 5 Islands Press. This beautiful piece was sent to us by our friend and colleague, Mark Tredinnick, last week.
Roque Dalton was not only a revolutionary but also a revered literary figure who deeply influenced Latin American poetry. Though known for his activism, this poem transcends militancy, offering a message of inclusion, of compassion, and of quiet celebration. It features one of Daltonâs most celebrated linesââPoetry, like bread, is for everyoneââa line that perfectly captures the essence of what we strive to achieve at 5 Islands Press. The poem has been masterfully translated by the American poet, Jack Hirschfeld.
Enjoy the video and let these words inspire you as much as they have inspired us. Whatâs your favourite line?
#poetrycommunity #roquedalton #5islandspress #literaryrevolution #translatedpoetry #poetrylovers
Today, we share Sue Lockwoodâs reading of her poem, âLast Train.â
This piece is part of her debut book, âThe Flowering Dark,â which will be published by 5islands press in June 2024. Sueâs poetry practises a gardenerâs care on language, memory, family, place, art, and existence. Her lyric poems intertwine the inner seasons of sorrow and gladness with the concrete mysteries of the outer world. As she writes, âOutside, thereâs so much on offer. Lean in/ and listen to correas filled with the song/ of honeyeatersâŚâ
Sue Lockwoodâs work has appeared in many leading poetry journals and anthologies, and she has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Bridport, Fish, ACU, Gwen Harwood, and Liquid Amber Prizes. In The Flowering Dark,â she brings her philosophical refinement and linguistic delicacy to the fore, reminding us that there is no darkness one can encounter that does not know how to flower. đ¸â¨
#5islandspress #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #debutpoet #lasttrain #newpoetry #comingsoon #poetry
He was revered, if rarely seen, in his village, but finally one morning
The word went around that he had fallen hopelessly ill.
âRobert Gray, âLife of a Chinese Poetâ
Too often we leave our tributes too late. Robert Gray is one of the great poets of our age, known to thousands who read him for their HSC or VCE, and beloved of readers of poetry the world over. There is still time to thank Robert Gray for his life of letters and offer an appreciation of his poetry. Bright Crockery Days, which 5 Islands will publish in August, is our tribute to Robert. In it, twenty-something writers and artists choose their favourite poem by Gray and speak about how it works and how it touches them, what it has meant to them, and why it matters so much to all of us. Since it will include the poems, the book will also be an anthology of much of Robert Grayâs best work, chosen by some who have known him; and it is a collection of trim essays that read those poems closely, elucidating and celebrating some of the poetâs best-known and most-loved pieces.
The book is edited by Mark Tredinnick, and it includes essays by Sarah Holland-Batt, Judith Nangala Crispin, Judith Beveridge, Felicity Plunkett, John Foulcher, Michael Hulse, Jeffrey Wainwright,G eoffrey Lehmann, Peter Goldsworthy, Lindsay Tuggle, Todd Turner, Luke Fischer, Lisa Gorton, Anthony Lawrence, Robbie Coburn, Jean Kent, Russ Erwin, and Kevin Hart, Kate Rigby, Brigitte Ross, Tegan Gigante, and Geoff Page.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #5islandspress #poet #poetrylovers
Join us for a special âTalking Poetryâ post featuring Mark Tredinnick, our managing editor, as he discusses the essence of poetry: âPoetry belongs at the heart of every day and every life.â
These videos are part of our commitment to making poetry accessible to all, reflecting our core values of âPoetry for Everyone.â
We want to hear from you! What do you think poetry is for? What aspects of poetry would you like us to explore in future posts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For more poetry insights, visit our website at 5islandspress.com. Link in bio.
#talkingpoetry #poetryforeveryone #5islandspress #poetry #poetrycommunity #publishing
Sarah Rice performs 'Speaking Bluntly'
Wonderful video of Sarah Rice reading her 2014 prize winning poem
Ron Pretty Poetry Prize 2016 open until 15 Sep. Visit the 5 Islands website for details.
