MC’d by the delightful Andy Jackson and Anna Fern, the night features readings by Melbourne stalwart, Myron Lysenko, the enigmatic Laura Jean McKay, the Melbourne launch of home{sic} by Julie Beveridge and of course, this Lost Shark. And to keep everyone warm and moving, DJ Lapkat will be bringing the poetic noise!

Should be an incredible night, so if you are anywhere nearby, get along!

This Friday, May 25 the 2012 tour kicks off with my annual pilgrimage to the ‘big-sky’ country of Blackall, located approx. one thousand kilometres north west of Brisbane. On Friday night, Sheish, Giselle, Cindy and I will be taking our words and chords to the stage of the Prince of Wales Hotel as part of the Blackall Heartland Festival. Then on Saturday we will be running a series of workshops with young people as part of the Shockwave Festival.

Blackall’s landscape has inspired many poems, so I thought I would repost one to give you a snapshot of its stunning vastness.

*****

Beyond

seduced
by kite hawk
that spirals
on hot thermal winds
loneliness
like that
of the spirit of sky
inspires a hopeless
heart-broken
longing

wind at dusk
resents the song
of insects
and falling leaves
remind me
of the great distance
between
us

I want to fill my hands
with moonlight
and bring it back
to you

(you can read the full poem here)

*****

Look forward to bringing you all back some words…