Endings and Beginnings

What a year! Welcome to my December newsletter. The past three months have been packed full of creative things, and I would love to share the highlights with you.

A Published Poem

In November, my poem ‘ode to my body hair’ was published in #EnbyLife Journal. This is an online journal that publishes poetry and fiction by nonbinary, trans and gender diverse writers, and it was a privileged to be featured there. This is also the first time I have had poetry published outside of student journals at university.

A Premiere Performance

My lovely friend Ellena Hicks is a talented mezzo soprano singer. We have been friends for almost four years, and throughout that time we have been plotting and planning that I would compose a piece for her. A few weeks ago, she gave her final recital of her undergraduate degree at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she gave the premiere performance of New Parables, accompanied by David Howie. I wrote this piece especially for Ellena, a setting of one of my own poems that she chose, and she was very involved in workshopping the piece as it took shape. It was wonderful to hear her sing it so beautifully and to celebrate the end of her degree together.

Advent Creativity

For those who celebrate Advent, I have been sharing a poem each week in the lead-up to Christmas. This has been a great opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and lean into the anticipation of new things. You can read those poems on the Christian Students Uniting Instagram or Facebook page.

Toolkits: Poetry Comes to an End

The past three months have been an intensive period of getting into regular writing practice, with the help of Express Media’s Toolkits: Poetry program. I have had a wonderful time learning from our mentor and one of my favourite poets, Maddie Godfrey, as well as guest poets Rae White and Jacinta Le Plastrier.

We covered so many aspects of poetic craft, engaged with different forms of poetry, explored how play is an important part of our practice, and shared ideas about how to maintain a sustainable creative career. I thoroughly enjoyed jumping onto a video call each fortnight full of people as obsessed with and passionate about poetry as I am. I will miss my fellow word nerds, but I hope to maintain the regularity and variety of practice I learned during Toolkits into the future.

Stay Tuned

More creativity is coming your way in 2023. I have about half a poetry manuscript-in-progress, and I will be dedicating more time to writing in the new year. It is wonderful to have you along for the ride as I celebrate each milestone on this journey.