The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Poetry

Advertisement
Kae Tempest: “I had three commandments written on my studio wall. One was, ‘Write what you can’t bear to admit.’ ”

‘Write what you can’t bear to admit’ – plus two more rules Kae lives by to make art

British writer, performer and poet Kae Tempest on his sources of inspiration, plus: the power of being active through love, rather than inactive through fear.

  • Benjamin Law

Latest

<p>

The stations of the rather cross

Are some reports tanking the stats?

<p>

Easter viewing is the pits

And not the time to be egging Freddy Krueger on.

Prime Minister John Curtin on December 19, 1941.

Can poetry help our politics? There was a time in Australia when it did

John Curtin and his political nemesis Robert Menzies were united by their love of poetry. In fact, many great Australian leaders were drawn to verse as a source of relaxation and inspiration.

  • George Brandis
<p>

Don’t be a wallflower, John

Best mate of first love and first husband of best mate would agree.

First Nations poet Evelyn Araluen has won the prestigious Victorian Premier’s Literary Prize.

‘So many stories to tell’: First Nations poet wins prestigious literary prize

The acclaimed writer’s award comes just four years after her debut collection became the first poetry collection to take home the Stella Prize.

  • Kylie Northover
Advertisement
<p>

The perfect name, on the face of it

But let’s not harbour any grudges.

Evelyn Araluen’s poetry collection Dropbear was the bestselling collection in the country at the end of 2022.

These collections from local poets will make you feel everything from warmth to rage

Poet and critic Thuy On looks at five recent Australian poetry collections.

  • Thuy On
Maxine Beneba Clarke’s new book of poetry is playful, blunt and provocative,

From rage to playfulness, these poems are unashamed tributes to womanhood

Maxine Beneba Clarke’s new book of poetry is a feminist rallying cry.

  • Thuy On
<p>

Formula 1’s pour decisions

Giggle water gets the boot.