Yes, that was a major omission - terrible anthology. Tom is such a major
figure in Australian poetry that is simply shows their ignorance. Who knows
why - the politics is always behind closed doors, and from here in the West
we don't get to hear all the gossip - luckily.
Andrew
On 12 January 2012 03:23, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > I never met him, but Judith, yeah, & youve caught her....
> >
> > Doug
>
> When Andrew also asked after Tom Shapcott, who is even older than his wife
> Judith, I realised I was under- informed. Such a stalwart of Australian
> writing, and a few years ago deprived of his voice and more by I think a
> stroke. Caring for Tom was only part of her responsibilities as she (when
> last met up with) also had a centenarian mother to see every day, and also
> stay with as she was still in her old flat then.
> Dimitris was sad for Tom who doesn't appear in the latest huge anthology
> of Australian poetry despite his many books and old reputation. Ach,
> anthologies!
>
> Max
>
> On 11/01/2012, at 7:23 PM, Patrick McManus wrote:
>
> > Thanks Max Wish I was a ball of energy -ah my old Vespa days P
> >
> >
> > Good to see they're still kicking! Judith was always a ball of energy.
> > How's Tom now?
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> > On 11 January 2012 06:37, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >> Two Seniors
> >>
> >> (Judith Rodriguez, b.1936, &
> >> Dimitris Tsaloumas, b.1921)
> >>
> >>
> >> Vigorous poems she wrote -
> >> ditto her body language.
> >> She roused her students -
> >>
> >> all can be creative!
> >> New then to her country,
> >> I felt she stood for Australia..
> >>
> >> When our summer December
> >> party lagged without
> >> a bottle-opener
> >>
> >> she bit off the crown caps
> >> passing round the beer
> >> that might inspire us further.
> >>
> >> *
> >>
> >> At her house when I met
> >> Australia's great Greek poet,
> >> Dimitris Tsaloumas,
> >>
> >> of Leros and Elwood Vic,
> >> though I towered over him,
> >> his eyes burned into me
> >>
> >> as if asking was I serious enough?
> >> I hadn't been but might.
> >> His voice was intense, but kind.
> >>
> >> *
> >>
> >> Hospitalised once
> >> for something dire,
> >> when visited by me
> >>
> >> her bed was empty -
> >> she'd absconded
> >> with her drip-feed bottle
> >>
> >> to judge some urgent
> >> poetry competition
> >> for the promising young.
> >>
> >> *
> >>
> >> Celebrating his eightieth
> >> at a large gathering
> >> he'd excused himself from,
> >>
> >> she hobbled forward
> >> on her stick to the lectern,
> >> praised him with force
> >>
> >> and large gestures -
> >> strode back to her seat
> >> without her stick.
> >>
> >> Now he's ninety,
> >> I'm about to make my visit
> >> of homage to his Elwood
> >>
> >> address, its Greek-
> >> picture-haunted rooms,
> >> I'll ask: Dimitris,
> >>
> >> are you still not only
> >> writing your worlds
> >> but touring Leros on your Vespa?
> >>
> >>
> >> Max Richards, b.1937
> >> Doncaster Vic
> >>
> >> p.s. DT says he now has a four-stroke Vespa, easier for him.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Andrew
> > http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
> > http://www.mullamullapress.com/QWERTY
> > BLUE ROSE enovel avail. at Amazon, Smashwords and
> > http://etextpress.com/books.htm
>
--
Andrew
http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
http://www.mullamullapress.com/QWERTY
BLUE ROSE enovel avail. at Amazon, Smashwords and
http://etextpress.com/books.htm
|