AustLit

'Two-thirds of the way into this book, in ‘Poem for Dylan Thomas’, a salute to his boyhood poetic hero, John Jenkins finally comes clean: ‘But I confess,’ he tells us, ‘I never wanted to be anything but a writer.’ Poems Far and Wide, which it’s my honour to be launching today, gives us no reason to question John’s confession. Although this is his first new volume in some ten years, it’s a large and generous book. And yes, this poet loves writing, all right – he enjoys nothing better than to let his thoughts and inventions seize him by the pen, and lead him where they will, and whatever the distance.' (Introduction) 

'Creative Connections Art and Poetry Exhibitions were established with the purpose of demonstrating, through creative pursuits, the diverse abilities and personalities of people with complex needs. The greatest benefit of Creative Connections is that it allows networking and sharing, not only between artist and poet, but also between the many similar, but distinct service provider organisations and the community. Communication beyond regular pathways   often results which can lead to new opportunities for artists.' (Introduction)

'In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, the character Helmholtz Watson muses: “Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced”¹. Deb Stewart’s The White Line of Language is full of words that do just this. Honed words, skilfully arranged into just the right orders, creating just the right shapes for ears as eyes, aloud as on the page. Words that press hard against silence and space, against one another, language, limits, the unsayable and still-to-be-said. Words that sing and cry and hope and ache and wonder, unfolding always into more – and more. Words to read again and again, always and endlessly for the very first time.' (Introduction)