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Poetry in Paradise
Established 6 years

The Gold Coast's ONLY non critiquing or judgmental poetry meeting/group

GCCC Library
Cnr Lawson & Garden Streets Southport

Third Sunday every month 1pm - 3.45 pm

The Poetry in Paradise Group 2012

Poetry in Paradise

The Poets will be at the Australia Day Celebrations
on January 26th at Evandale Parklands, 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise

Come along and participate or listen

Below
Celebration of 7 Years of
Poetry in Paradise - founded by Jeff the Poet

Cedric and Jeff
Jeff - speech

Irene & Jeff

Bob

The Banjo, Alex,
Vince,Jean

Cathy & Joan

Trish, Di, Gloria
Poets at 'Poetry in Paradise'
AlanAlan

Di
Di

Roger
Roger

April Meeting Report

Hello my friends, today was a great day at poetry we had 21 people enjoying OJ, Tea, Coffee, Lamingtons and three different types of pizza.

The first news and the biggest story of the year is that Trish came along today for the first time since her illness, and not only did she walk into the room she got up and read a poem that she wrote giving thanks to her friends at Poetry in Paradise; she amazed us all and brought a tear to all of us that know and love her, David was very proud to see her returning to where she is loved as well, and is praised by all.

We had apologies from Eoin, Paul, Alex, Jean, Allen and Sandra and they all hope to be there next month.

Edith came to our group for the first time not knowing that I know her, Edith is the Mum of one my most colourful mates and a true blue Aussie character, Yappa!! I have known Edith for thirty years or more. Edith did a great rendition of Clancy of the Overflow and will be back with some of her poems next time and maybe another classic.

Also new arrivals today were Ann Marie Barney and Gloria who came along to listen to poetry and they both thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and thanked me personally at the closure.

Ray and Margaret returned after a long absence as they had attended when we were at Evergreens Restaurant!! Margaret did two wonderful original poems. Jenny came back after about a two year absence and easily got through two lovely original pieces.

Roger returned after 10 weeks sailing north south and west along the Murray river in a converted party pontoon, what an adventure. He returned rested and full of bad manners writing a poem that ‘roasted’ all his good friends in Poetry in Paradise then informed us that he thinks highly of us and it was all in good fun, thanks ye bastard, woops I mean thanks Roger, no offence taken or intended.

The room was full of regulars and the poetry was all really well received and the applause never stopped, praise came from many poets and we all had a great day. Bob did some great poems and had us laughing and also shared his heart felt words, he closed the day with the tale of the Man buying boots that should have bought a hat.

Banjo recited an original of his titled My Rock, a lovely ode to his beautiful wife, he then performed two great AB Patterson poems ‘The Man from Snowy River’ and ‘The Bush Christening’ as only Banjo can do it, very well received and much applauded.

Joyce and Mac both recited poems today, Mac shared one from the WWW and Joyce shared her thoughts on rich elderly relatives and then on bloody flying fox’s!!!

Judi recited a poem or two, one about her love of being a Mum and her love for family and I think she may be moonlighting for the Qld Tourism Bureau as second poem would be a great promotional tool.

Marta has all laughing at David being happy with his perfect mother-in-law, 15000 km’s away and can’t speak English; her second poem was about losing her mind and then finding herself happily married to the lovely David.

Tom is writing some great poems also and today his were all at his usual high standard, from walking in the hinterland to walking in the suburban streets with views of people that have ‘run aground’ to a very funny poem about good girls pretty girls bad girls ugly girls good boys handsome boys bad boys ugly boys, hoping the right group breed with the right group.
J

oan recited three poems today each as well written and received as the other, from the dynamic of the ‘perfect’ family matrix to the hope that she ‘will get her own back one day!!”

Gloria detailed the unfortunate demise of Uncle Zebadiah Enoch Smith and his lack of an inheritance to pass on, very funny.

Vincent arrived late but started well and has all laughing at his unique short to the point poetry!! He touched on narcissism, haiku, limericks and something about crows.

Well done to all the poets and thank you to all the supporters that come along to listen. See you all next month and hope to have a full house again, by for now from Jeffrey and the lovely Irene.

Jeffrey your leader and Irene his love.

Paul Montague with his daughters Domenica and Amelia
Paul Montague with Domenica and Amelia

http://www.joansmall.com/poetryinparadise.htm

Optional Themes for 2012

January 15th      Australia is!!!
February 19th    Everybody loves somebody.
March 18th        Political correctness.
April 15th          The relatives.
May 20th           Golf.
June 17th           Did I invite you.
July 15th            Moving house.
August 19th       I know all the answers.
September 16th  If I win lotto.
October 21st      Life is a journey.
November 18th  The Gum Tree.
December 16th  Built on a hand shake.

Optional First Lines

January 15th   They came from another country and they..
February 19th You know you’re in love when..
March 18th I’ve never seen anything like it.
April 15th Children they can..
May  20th If horses could vote..
June  17th Inside that photo album is..
July 15th I wish I hadn’t..
August 19th It’s not easy being me, I..
September  16th Today, today is going to be..
October  21st  In the garden you can..
November 18th Beneath the Pandanus palm I sit..
December 16th Friends, friends are the..

Bob Dever
The Mudgeeraba Budgerigar

 

 

 

Download FREE Ebook Here

"A Kaleidoscope of Aussie Poetry"
by
The Poets from
Poetry in Paradise

Next Poetry Day
May 20th
1pm to 3:45 pm

Optional Theme:
Golf

Optional First Line:
If Horses Could Vote/
If Horses Could Dance

jeffthepoet@hotmail.com

Poetry in Paradise Southport
Valentines Day,
Southport Mall
Jeff and the girls
Cnclr Dawn Crichlow at right

The Sun Newspaper February 2012
From the Sun Newspaper.
Click to read article

Roger and Banjo
Roger and The Banjo

Marta and David
David and Marta

The Poetic Virgin

I heard about a poetry group
I thought that I may go
Then I wondered who would be there
And now I just don’t know.
Would they all be professionals?Even though the ad said they are not
Will they be wearing poetry uniforms?
That’s something I haven’t got.

Will they all be women?
Will they be young or grey?
Are there any men there?
And would they all be gay?
What if my poems are crap
And they all laugh at me?
The ad did say no judging
And the subject theme was free.

Decisions decisions
Are such hard things to make?
Do I be adventurous?
Such a chance should I take?
 Bring your friends along it said
Yes come along one and all.
You can be a supporter
Or sip your coffee and be enthralled.

Life is such a dilemma
I just don’t know what to do
Just what does a poet look like?
Are they just like me and you?
I guess I’ll just have to front up,
Stick out my chin and stand up tallAll my questions will be answeredWhen I walk into that hall.

I’m sure they're all just human
And most will be more nervous than me.
If I’m not brave enough to read something
Then I’ll just smile and drink all of the coffee.
So come along one and all.
Yes! Lets all decide to go.
We’ll see what a poet looks like
Then next time we’ll all know.

(c) Copyright Poetry in Paradise 2004 Trade mark no. 1028534. Jeffrey.N.Goudy

Jeff at the Podium
he made for

Poetry in Paradise