I had the privilege of attending Bron Bateman's poetry collection launch, Blue Wren last night. I love this community. It was one of the most warm and genuine launches I've been to. A heartfelt introduction and speech by Georgia Richter Fremantle Press and Scott-Patrick Mitchell (author of Clean Terri-ann White Upswell) who were both effusive with their praise of this much anticipated collection.
Bron is an inspiration. Her work is direct, succinct and confronting. There is such a precise use of imagery and the rhythm rocks you in a comforting way even when the images are unexpectedly intimate and graphic.
Bron is an amazon of contemporary feminist poetry and erotica and her work must be read. Here is an excerpt from her exquisite collection:
Orange Madonna (extract) for Jo by Bron Bateman
I watch the way you cut orange and lemon segments,
the snick of the knife on the chopping board,
the flick and stress of your brown wrist.
Most of the time you are too uncomfortable in your body
to realise how lovely you are to me.