Duke Ellington, "Take the A Train"

“Take the A Train” was written by composer, arranger, pianist, and longtime Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn in 1939. 

Duke’s son first brought the song to the band, having recovered the chart from a trash bin after a frustrated Strayhorn discarded it. 

Despite its composers initial unease, the song quickly became the Ellington Orchestra’s signature number.

Hen Power

Andrew — together, we're making history for hens

The Australian Poultry Standards public consultation has closed — with, I'm delighted to say, a record-breaking number of submissions calling for a ban on the battery cage. United, we've become a force for compassion to be reckoned with.

Andrew, we are closer than ever to the day when this most cruel 'farming' invention will exist only as a cautionary note in history books. That never again will compassionate societies allow our fellow species to be treated so cruelly — valued only for what they produce, rather than who they are.

Here are just 6 of the ways we've worked together to give hens a chance at a kinder future:

Thousands of caring people took the time to lodge their submission for hens, resulting in the biggest public consultation on behalf of animals EVER in Australian history.

The support of Animals Australia members like you meant we could broadcast our message loud and clear across the airwaves, by enlisting the help of some of Australia's favourite personalities on every major radio show across the country. Our radio ads alone reached over half the Australian population!

To ensure every caring Aussie would get the chance to have their say to help hens, we advertised in 198 rural and urban newspapers, from The Weekly Times to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald (including an enormous half-page ad in The Australian which was particularly eye-catching)!

Committed Animals Australia supporters put their hands up to be a voice for hens at a number of public forums. They did the hens proud as they sat face to face with cage-egg industry reps, and asked the tough questions that no factory farmer ever wants to hear — let alone be compelled to answer!

Always prepared to go an extra step for the animals, our supporters ensured that those who need to hear the call to end caged cruelty, did. A whopping 61-thousand emails landed in the inboxes of State MPs, placing hens firmly on the political agenda.

Students from 150 schools are helping to shape the world they want to live in: a world where every hen can stretch her wings. Recording videos, doing school projects, and taking the cage-free message home to their families — the future is in safe hands with these compassionate kids.

So where do we go from here?

Over the coming months, every submission will be scrutinised and a final recommendation will be made to Australian Agriculture Ministers. This will present the next critical campaign opportunity. We'll be following every step of this process, and will let you know how you can assist when the time comes.

Andrew, it was almost thirty years ago that I first stood inside a factory farm, confronted by row upon row of battery cages. That we could imprison thousands of animals in this dreadful way, denying them any reason to want to live, shocked and appalled me. I have been determined ever since to shine a light on their suffering and bring an end to the cruelty being inflicted on these sensitive hens.

From world-first public awareness campaigns to fighting for legislative change, and now with these record-breaking public consultation results — together, we've reached a point where an end to the battery cage is a very real possibility.

My heart-felt thanks to each and every person who took the time to make a personal submission. Hens have never had so many people speaking up for them. Now, we just need decision-makers to listen. Stay tuned...

On behalf of the animals, thank you.

Glenys Oogjes CEO

Denise Riley FREE Selected Poems

Fathomsun Press‏ @FathomsunPress                              

 

We were delighted to discover that Denise Riley's 'Selected Poems' (out of print) is now available for free in the form of a PDF, straight from Reality Street Editions. http://www.realitystreet.co.uk/denise-riley.php …

POETRY COMPETITIONS

2018 Poetry d’Amour Love Poetry Contest

As part of 2018Poetry d’Amour Summer of Love, submissions are sought for original, unpublished love poems for an opportunity to win:

 

First Prize: $500 cash prize and the opportunity to perform the winning entry at Poetry d’Amour 2018* 

Runner Up: $200 cash prize and the opportunity to perform the winning entry at Poetry d’Amour 2018*

2 x Highly Commended Certificates*

2 x Commended Certificates*

 

PLUS

Youth Incentive Award: $100 cash prize and the opportunity to perform the winning entry at Poetry d’Amour 2018* for the highest ranking entry from a person under 18 years of age living in Western Australia.

 

Selected poems from all entries submitted, will be offered the opportunity to be published in the anthology Poetry d’Amour 2018.

 

* Conditions apply, additional prizes may be added at the discretion of the organisers and sponsors. Prizes do not include travel or accommodation costs.

 

Full details and Entry Form can be found by following the links at:  https://wapoets.wordpress.com/

 

2018 Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize

The annual $2500 prize has been generously endowed by Emeritus Professor Bruce Dawe AO to celebrate Australian poetry. The winner will be announced in August, with travel to the awards ceremony covered in addition to the prize. Entries close on Friday 1 June 2018.

 

Poetry shapes our culture. None believed this more so than Professor Dawe, one of Australia's most acclaimed contemporary poets. Professor Dawe believed that universities should support the study of Literature and promote the Arts in Australian society. His decision to sponsor this prominent Literary Prize is ongoing, living proof of his conviction.

 

Bruce continues to write passionately with his most recent work, Border Security, published in 2016 at the age of 86. As Australia’s best-selling living poet, Bruce has had a varied career from joining the RAAF in 1959 to working as a labourer, farmhand, clerk, gardener, teacher, and much more.

 

Want to know more?

For more information, please email us at brucedaweprize@usq.edu.au or visit The Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize for terms and conditions, how-to enter, and frequently asked questions.

2018 Bruce Dawe Poetry Prize

Entries for the 2018 Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize are now open

Dear Poet - The annual $2500 prize has been generously endowed by Emeritus Professor Bruce Dawe AO to celebrate Australian poetry. The winner will be announced in August, with travel to the awards ceremony covered in addition to the prize. Entries close on Friday 1 June 2018.

Poetry shapes our culture. None believed this more so than Professor Dawe, one of Australia's most acclaimed contemporary poets. Professor Dawe believed that universities should support the study of Literature and promote the Arts in Australian society. His decision to sponsor this prominent Literary Prize is ongoing, living proof of his conviction.

About Bruce Dawe Bruce continues to write passionately with his most recent work, Border Security, published in 2016 at the age of 86. As Australia’s best-selling living poet, Bruce has had a varied career from joining the RAAF in 1959 to working as a labourer, farmhand, clerk, gardener, teacher, and much more. Want to know more? For more information, please email us at brucedaweprize@usq.edu.au or visit The Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize for terms and conditions, how to enter, and frequently asked questions.

ISSA HAIKU

winter rain--
stomping on the mum
the croaking frog

ISSA 1812

 

.しぐるるや菊を踏へてなく蛙
shigururu ya kiku wo fumaete naku kawazu

Frogs are a spring season word in haiku. A winter frog, highly unusual, intimates spunky old age: a comrade and mirror for Issa. 

 

http://haikuguy.com/issa/new.html

WA in Words - for the New Museum

Capturing the spirit of Western Australia in words

Submissions to http://museum.wa.gov.au/wa-in-words

 

The Western Australian Museum is calling for members of the public to share their thoughts about the literary works they think best reflect the spirit and place of Western Australia.

WA in Words is a project launched by the WA Museum as part of the 2018 Perth Writers Festival.

WA Museum CEO Alec Coles is encouraging people from around the State to get involved.

“We are calling for people to tell us about the works they think best sum up the spirit of WA. Our State has been evocatively described through novels, poems, songs and plays in many ways, so we want to hear about the works that mean the most to Western Australians,” Mr Coles said.

The Museum is seeking WA in Words submissions which will be incorporated into a beautiful paper installation at the Perth Writers Festival, and used to inform the content for the New Museum for WA, which will open to the public in 2020.

“The New Museum is being developed with a People First approach, and the voices, and the writings of our people will be featured heavily throughout the new galleries.

“Some of the submissions sent in for the WA in Words project may feature in the New Museum along with the words penned by authors who have expressed their thoughts about WA through their works,” Mr Coles said.

“We are not just looking for examples of popular works, but of a range authors and writers.”

Submissions are now open and can be made via the WA Museum website: http://museum.wa.gov.au/wa-in-words. Contributors are asked to submit the title and author of the work, and describe how it made them feel or think about WA.

“Submissions can be from novels, poems, theatre or songs, and it doesn’t matter if they’re by local, national or international writers,” Mr Coles said.

One lucky contributor will also win a book lovers prize valued at about $1,000. Spend two nights away at Hyatt Regency Perth with $150 worth of books from Boffins Books, while indulging on a hamper filled with gorgeous WA produce.

Entries close on Wednesday 28 February 2018.

WA in Words is supported by Hyatt Regency Perth and Boffins Books.