meet Self Doubt

You meet Self Doubt soon after you begin school. He’s not a close friend but he’s always there for you. Saying I-told-you-so when you fail. Smirking a little, nodding politely when you succeed, just to let you know he’s still around. Self Doubt is loyal. He’ll talk to you even when no-one else will. You have so much in common. He’ll whisper to you even in the middle of those sleepless nights. Nobody quite understands you like he does. He’ll teach you his favourite expressions: Just my luck. Typical. Too good to last. Brought it on myself. Teaches you to get real. Play safe. Stop being stupid. Act your age. His advice is beyond value. He’ll bask in your success, take a long all-expenses-paid holiday overseas for years. But don’t worry. Like all true friends

he’ll be back.

© rob walker, 2011.

First published in Finger Magazine, Adelaide, Nov 2011.

Production by Speck & annabloom. Courtesy of ccmixter.org. photo by Larry Kolvoord.

The next Friendly Street Poets Words at the Wall event this Wednesday May 16th – 5.30 – 6.15pm (Free entry) features two great poetic greats, Peter Goldsworthy and Aidan Coleman – two of my favorite contemporary Australian poets.

Peter, born in Minlaton, SA, manages to work as a GP and has also developed an enviable reputation as a writer of fiction, libretti and poetry.

“He writes in all genres, including the opera libretto; his novels make their way onto stage and screen; and he has won too many prizes to be listed here. But he pays the usual price for media prominence and multiple glory: all too often, his poetry is thought of as a sideline. On the contrary, it is at the centre of his achievement. No poet who so resolutely avoids the set forms gets quite so much in.”  (Clive James)

Aidan, born in Aberystwyth, Wales, has made Adelaide his home for more than twenty years.

He has had a career in education as well as becoming one of Australia’s rising stars in poetry. Soon after I first met him, just on the release of his first collection, he had a life-threatening stroke. After recovery he also had to re-learn speech and pick up his writing life. (See my review of his first collection Avenues and Runways HERE.)

Aidan’s latest collection, Asymmetry, is undoubtedly destined for great things: of Aidan Coleman, Les Murray says ‘Dizzying imagery, executed with utter control. Coleman’s artistry puts him in the forefront of young poets anywhere.’

.

This is a unique opportunity to see and hear two great Australian poets in one place, at one time, for free.

May 16th – 5.30 – 6.15pm

Treasures Wall, 1st Floor State Library, North Terrace, Adelaide

M.C. Mike Hopkins (Friendly Street Co-ordinator Words@Wall)

In Adelaide? Your opportunity to see Max Mo live in a 1 hr 15 min show as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival 2012.

Featuring: 
Mike Ladd, poet

Amelia Walker, poet

Jude Aquilina, poet

Derek Pascoe, saxophone

Fleur Green, tuned percussion

Andrew Mills, percussion

and Steve Matters, multi-instrumentalist
.

Using rock, funk, soul, pop, electronica, jazz and the spoken word, Max_Mo explores different ways to meld words and music. Beats and grooves paint the backdrop for observations of life, love and living in the twenty first century.

Sadly, not including Rob Walker who is still in Japan!

WHERE: Nexus Cabaret
Lion Arts Centre

(corner North Tce and Morphett St, Adelaide)

WHEN: 16 Jun 2012, 9.00pm

COST: $15

BOOKINGS: BASS

More INFO:

http://www.bass.net.au/events/don-dunstan-vs-judge-judy.aspx

A very different remix of the words I wrote for Simplicity. This production’s by Mana Junkie who’s also done excellent remixes of my poems Crying at the Poetry Reading, The Thoughts of Charlie Sheen and Rock, Paper, Scissors.

There are a whole lot of poetry events coming up over the next few weeks. Being in Himeji, Japan, I can’t make them, but maybe you can. It’s not an exhaustive list – just events which I’ve been invited to – check local gig guides. Click on the links for more details.

ADELAIDE

Bindii Readings (Haiku & Japanese poetry)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

3:00pm

At Stirling Library on Saturday May 12 at 3pm

The Lee Marvin Readings; Every Tuesday in May

Words @ The Wall:
Peter Goldsworthy and Aidan Coleman

May 16, Treasures Wall, State Library

Paroxysm Press’s event:

Spoke n Slurred

May 20, 7:00 pm at Squatters Arms, 1 George St, Thebarton, South Australia

Wordfire:

Mon June 4^th, Crown & Sceptre

A tribute to Stephen Lawrence

MELBOURNE:

Launch of Rabbit Poetry Journal

Wednesday 16th May 6:30pm

Embiggen Books, 197-203 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (opposite the Wheeler Centre).

Readings, free wine, rabbit food, and general rabbit merriment.

Free entrance, but we encourage you to buy the bunny!