Hi all. I’m popping back in to share another poetry treasure that arrived in my inbox, this from Tricia Stohr-Hunt, who wasn’t familiar with the work of Australian poets, and in reading around discovered my favourite, ‘My Country’, by Dorothea Mackellar. Tricia had planned to write a golden shovel – but instead crafted this wonderful poem, using lines from the first stanza of Dorothea’s poem.
So many lines resonate, but I especially love that third stanza; how it so effortlessly embellishes Dorothea’s treasured; far horizons and jewel-sea. And I adore; I see the world with poet’s eye / wide open to explore. Yes!
Thank-you, Tricia, for crafting your poem from a poem that strikes to the core of my heart. (And a poem, that I learnt this week, is my mother’s favourite poem, too.)
In amongst the tumultuous year, I’m excited and thankful to have a number of picture books at various stages of production – with two in particular going neck-and-neck over recent months. Yesterday I saw cover spreads for them both – which was exciting! After 11 years of no picture books, I still can’t believe I’ve had two bouncing along at the same time. For sure, they have kept me hopping! I can’t wait to share more about them. Soon…
And now I must away – because it’s that time of year, and I am again on a tight timeframe, marking entries in the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. I am so glad our kids have poetry; to express a stress, grapple with their place in the world, and find joy in simple things. This year, more than any other, they have needed it!
You will find the full Poetry Friday roundup at; thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown. Thanks, Ruth!
Kathryn Apel 
Thanks for sharing this golden shovel. I can smell the burnt toast! It is a lovely working of one of my favourites too. It is Australia.
Looking forward to seeing your picture books! Can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I launched mine at a local library, it was a joyous time.
Lyndal
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How lovely to have you pop in, Lyndal. I hadn’t realised you had a picture book – but I know now. And so true – ‘My Country’ is Australia. Such a moving poem.
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I love this post! Tricia’s perfect inspiration (your mom’s favorite, too!) and her vivid poet’s eyes, and your picture books coming to fruition, and the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Wonderful!
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And Tricia’s poem landed as I was finalising my email to send my swap poem to Carol. All kinds of perfect. 🙂 Thank-you for inspiring all this creativity and generosity!
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What a wonderful swap! And thanks for coming to the party! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thank-you for hosting us – and organising such a delectable buffet!
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What a great triple match of Tricia’s poetic conversation with Dorthea Mackeller and you! My new favorite activity these days is to be “in conversation” with another poet on the page somehow. I will miss your posts but, I am SO excited that you are working on the poetry awards AND two picture books. Carry on, Kat. You’ve earned this place in your career. I’m applauding from here!
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Oh – I do plan to still post (though not weekly – because weeks are just getting shorter and shorter!) – I was just ducking away from this specific post to focus on some judging. Of which there is still so much more to do! And thank-you for your support and celebration.
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Kat, what a glorious poem Tricia penned for you. Life is offering you quite an opportunity to shine in #quarantinelife. It is so exciting to have two picture books published at the same time, my friend. I love this quote of yours: “I am so glad our kids have poetry; to express a stress, grapple with their place in the world, and find joy in simple things.” Poetry helps us smooth out the razor-sharp edges of life. Congratulations on all the accolades.
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Poetry is the joy of writing, isn’t it, Carol. And yes, it certainly helps to smooth our rough patches. There is always something new to explore with poetry Thank-you for your kind words and congratulations.
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Thanks for sharing Tricia’s wonderful poem. The poem in a poem, like the Golden Shovel and nestling poems, place poet’s words side by side, enriching them. Congrats on your new books. This has been a strange year. Poetry is a savior.
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Speaking of nestling poems…I have Irene’s book here, and cannot wait to have the time to dip in and savour it! Poetry has certainly helped to keep me sane this year!
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Congratulations on your two new upcoming books! That’s great and thank you for sharing Tricia’s poem. I would love to go to Australia someday. It seems like an amazing place, a different place with different creatures, though I know it has it’s challenges.
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Australia is certainly a place of challenges and beauty. I know visitors freak out about some of our animals (sometimes unnecessarily) – but it’s not really as dangerous as people fear. Especially if you’re sensible. 🙂 I hope you get a chance to visit us one day, Janice.
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Tricia’s poem interweaves sensitively with Dorothea Mackellar’s. I like her bringing in lines about the wildfires and ending with “I see the world with poet’s eyes,” and hope. How exciting to have two picture books coming out, I’m looking forward to hearing more about them!
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I’m looking forward to sharing more, Michelle! It’s starting to get pretty exciting.
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So much goodness from start to finish, Kat! Thanks for sharing Tricia’s poem and introducing me to Dorothea’s work. And many congrats on your two book babies! I look forward to meeting them both. 🙂
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Dorothea’s best known poem would be ‘My Country’; a stunning, stirring poem, and well worth a read. (Tricia used the first stanza. There are six stanzas in total.) As Tricia’s poem has shown, there are definite similarities between my country… and your my country.🙃
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So excited for you, two book babies on the go is enough to keep you on your toes!
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Yes! I have been twirling through COVID with barely a minute to rest! (For which I am very thankful!!)
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What a beautiful poem from Tricia. The opening list is full of sounds, tastes, sights — I love every detail (especially the raspberries). Congratulations on your books moving along, Kat. I can’t wait to see the covers!
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Tricia really did bring so much detail to her poem. A wonderful work! And I can’t wait to share covers!!
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Kat, congratulations on your picture books moving along! I hope your share more about them. Also, thank you for sharing Tricia’s inspiring poem.
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I will definitely share more, Linda. With pleasure!
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It’s a pep-up to see these poetry swaps, but especially when a new-to-me poet is part of the package. And what Tricia’s done is magic. I especially like the juxtaposition of the small verse of dark times.
Exciting for you to be a judge, brava! for your work with kiddos, exciting to balance the processes of a duo of picture books! It is all wonderful to receive this good news. Keep good news flowing!
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