The Master of Ceremonies Laydes and Gentilemen, welcome _____to a world made strange _____for us. ___________Allow this introduction: Rudolf is my name, on earth _______________________I was called Ruddy Bumpkin by my wife, also I was a train conductor, fancy that _______________________we’re being held here for a moment. ___________Look around— low ceiling, unnatural light like a [...]

Animal Collection is a new book of stories by Colin Winnette (author of Revelation, discussed here at THEthe). Like his previous book, it is a subtle blend of experimentation and dramaturgy. The concept: each story contains some kind of animal behaving in unusual and, in some cases, very human ways. From being cuckolded by a [...]

LOST COLONY Laconic (but not lazy), this time the lights stay on. __The formal fields have their wanton way; cherubs ____go drooling in posterior exterior, dimpled afresh. ____Generously, music unzips, points square to path __token by no occasion; in need of jetties and sweeties on some barren arm, a strap for each remembrance. Gradually recipes [...]

This entry is part of a series, Papercuts» If you force the sea through a sieve For Year 8, Frankston High School If you force the sea _____through a sieve __________stand back. Oceans will run clear and thin. __________You’ll grow bright over your dull catch – __________eat like Neptune, then sleep __________hardly feeling the neap [...]

This entry is part of a series, Papercuts» Papercuts is Australia’s only national poetry education program. Papercuts promotes the living practice of poetry through a series of workshops with contemporary Australian poets. Through Papercuts, students and educators in primary and secondary schools, correctional centres, community organisations, professional associations and universities, undertake workshops to develop their [...]

Sometimes I no longer desire to teach the way I have been teaching–not because I am ungrateful, but because I wish to do a fair day’s work. I wish I could have nothing but independent studies, work from the morning until the late afternoon–9 conferences a day (One hour for lunch) five days a week. [...]

The Pieces A group poem If my hand had fallen into yours earlier, I might _______still be holding you. I’ll always remember what you told me: In order to build a castle, learn how to build a ____________________________house first. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I can’t wait to come home. Listening to [...]