The poets gathered once again to feast on food & poetry, in the puddles of Walloon. The poets came from everywhere just by smelling out the food. ‘Must be Ipswich Poetry Feast time dear,’ The Goodna Gunner said to his wife! On this year there was one thing missing, the sunshine struggle to appear. Never fear when Paul Tully is about, we got off to a flying start. The Guests were welcome and absences noted, perhaps they’ll join us in another 10 years. Oh did I forget to mention that we turned ten!
Dave gave his usually rave on the history of The Babies of Walloon, the park and competition too. As the did all those years ago, Bridgett Kate and Mary Anne dancing among the water lilies, as Don recited Henry Lawson The Babies of Walloon. And this year the grey skies let down their silent tears. Then came out the Sow & Sow’s to present their patchwork quilt to the captains of the school and a new tradition was born.
So it seemed the morning had everything, tucker, the brush, ceremony, tradition, art and culture . . . but then entered politics as Paul Tully unleashed the ghosts of politicians past, handing over to Denleigh the poets had the mike at last.
Some recall the tales of poets of the past, while others sent us into laugher tell us of childhood’s follies! Still other tired to regress into there days of youth, while the rest of us poets just told it how it is.
Local artist, poet and historian Judith Baker waved together tales of yester year and the very present, bringing up back to the reason we gather here, at Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park, to continue the tradition Lawson poem recorder and declare open the Ipswich Poetry Feast Competition.
So if you stay tucked in warm in bed, that wall all you missed. But be sure to join us next year to feast on food and poetry, hopeful without the puddles. Oh and don’t forget now to enter the dam competition!!!!
See Ipswich Poetry Feast Webstie for competition detains.
