Recent Australian Poetry
From Poetry and Poetics Centre
Reviewed by Megan Boyd
Friendly Street's recent publication of New Poets 11 showcases the works of Cameron Fuller (featured in Our Members), Simone G Matthews and Rachel Manning. Produced by Friendly Street Poets in association with Wakefield Press, this book leaves no doubt that we have enormous creative talent right here in South Australia. Adelaide-based glass artist Tom Moore features his work on the cover of New Poets 11. This display of glass characters in a diorama-like imaginary setting surprises and delights the visual senses—a perfect introduction to this publication.
The first part of New Poets 11 takes us through a journey of outstanding works by UniSA PhD Student Cameron Fuller. This collection titled 'low background noise' is a revealing look at a creative mind. Brave and sometimes confronting, he takes a dive outside the square. His piece 'sometimes, meanings' invites the audience to share the most intimate processes of poetry creation. Travel through these pages and enjoy the confronting words of 'Eucharist under golden arches'. Cameron really hits the spot with this one. The frosted glass of shallow perception is lifted and we are faced with the absurd reality that is global junk food franchises. His controversial poem 'America' bounces the ball of Amercian hypocrisy, while the confronting words of 'A relationship with fear' give life to a subject that the majority of us would rather ignore. Fresh, challenging and sometimes humorous, Cameron's original work is a pleasure to read.
Simone G Matthews is the second collection in New Poets 11. The tide turns and we find ourselves splashed by the waves of her words. Simone's style of writing creates a myriad of emotions. We are faced with the reality of practical life versus longing in 'oyster bar' and taken away to a different dimension of language in her piece titled 'perfect flowers'—an intertext that doesn't want to be a poem in prose. A great read!
The final collection in this publication showcases the works of Rachel Manning. Born and raised in South Australia, Rachel has been writing poetry since she was ten. She has now been published widely both here in South Australia and nationally. You will enjoy the words as they fall down the page, skipping and swerving; her works are a treat for the senses. Be entertained by the comical yet confronting look at aggression in 'planet man'. This piece gives us a strong sense of the subject without lengthy dialogue—very refreshing.
Publication Details:
Wakefield Press
2006
RRP $19.95
