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Poem by Cath Vidler

Eyewear marches on, like time, or a newsreel from an Orson Welles film. Each Friday it features a poet worth reading, based somewhere in the English-speaking world. So it is that I am very glad to welcome to these storied flat-screen pages, this particular Friday, the one and only Cath Vidler.

Vidler (pictured above) is an Australian poet I think particularly intriguing for her wit and innovative practice. She is also editor of online journal Snorkel (www.snorkel.org.au). Vidler founded Snorkel in 2004 after returning to Sydney from New Zealand, where she spent three years immersing herself in the literary culture of Wellington. Snorkel aims to bring together the creative writings of Australians and New Zealanders, while also featuring contributions from the wider international community.

Her poems have appeared in Sport, Turbine, Trout, Tinfish, Cordite, Alba, Otoliths and, most recently, Nthposition.


10 Domestic Alternatives

1. The succulents are entirely underwater or completely dried out.
2. Quiche Lorraine is very friendly, or very not.
3. Telephonic exchange is followed by whitespace, or commas.
4. The toothpaste aisle gleams with possibilities. The toothpaste aisle is in decay.
5. The wine glasses are blushing with excitement, or paling into insignificance.
6. The dress shop is located on the corner of progress, or perhaps slipping into something more comfortable.
7. This afternoon recites like a prayer. This afternoon has clamped its lips.
8. Did the deli owner really relieve the loneliness, or simply slice it thin?
9. The roundabout is ringing with reason. The roundabout is a vicious circle.
10. The private sphere is found all around the world. The private sphere has become lost in the bubble-bath.

poem by Cath Vidler
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Comments

Space Bar said…
todd, not sure if you're anywhere in the area, but thought this would interest you:

http://spaniardintheworks.blogspot.com/2006/11/poetry-from-axis-of-evil_10.html

s
Fri Nov 10, 01:12:00 am 2006
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