Rationale

Standing in the warmest light.

Thursday, January 19 2012

Dearest Haline,

Many many words were written (and read) in the quest for a final few. I would like to put forward my favourite four poems, a grand total of 22 words! I started by looking into the life and work of John Thompson as you recommended. I read a selection of his poetry (only to find the book I enjoyed most was apparently riddled with typos and errors, I noticed none) and spent an afternoon at the National Library listening to these old recordings where he recounts his life, his childhood, studies and periods abroad. He spoke also of his love of poetry and how he came back to it throughout his adult life.

I discovered that he too worked for the ABC.

I then moved onto reading the Australian poetry he enjoyed and respected, the poems he selected for anthologies he came to edit. Many lines stood out, usually beautiful visual things like 'the eggshell collapses' and 'a cloud of fragrant leaves'.

I loved the poems that described nature simply yet vividly. Of rain raining and creatures breathing. They made me feel hopeful and encouraged by the quiet existence of other little living things. I thought this fit too with the nature of the moss that will be used to create the mossage and the plants, animals and insects that will surround it in the reservoir.

There was also something that stood out in John Thompson's account of his life at the time the audio recording was made. He talked often of poetry and how his writing evolved along with his life experiences but there was a sense of regret or maybe just melancholy for not having pursued it more vigorously throughout his life, for not having devoted more time to it. Listening to him talk, you almost want to go back in time and be the person that cheers him on.

And so I hoped to write something that combined these two elements -nature and natural (yet magical) occurrences and gentle encouragement and reassurance. I had also looked towards some of my favourite contemporary artists, writers and lyricists who communicate so powerfully yet efficiently through a handful of words. I gravitated towards future focused phrases and thoughts exploring renewal and revelation. Many of the texts were highly introspective and sometimes sad, writing that described the pain of growing and growing up, the sometimes shock that comes from living in this world. It was relatable but disconcerting.

I aspired to write something that would personally reassure and embolden those who would come to see the mossage but also something that would expand their interests and awareness beyond their immediate and daily concerns.

Many of the poems can be interpreted literally and allude to the life and growth that happens daily (often imperceptibly) in the urban garden. But they are also designed to apply to the lives of those who stumble across them and make a slight suggestion that may challenge their mindset if just for a moment.

The final four poems have some similarities; thematically they explore growth, nourishment, rejuvenation, motion, the future and an enhanced awareness of the living things that surround us each day. All seek to do so quietly.

Just as the reservoir gardens are concealed and moss lives a quiet and slightly fragile life, the poems are present yet subtle, their messages offering promise and not alarm.

And so here are the poems, listed in order of preference:

Standing in the warmest light

The thousand other things to see

Assembling hopes in quiet spaces

Being here where small things breathe

Reading and writing poetry for this project was a joy, thank you for inviting me to take part.

I hope that you can contemplate the poems in a quiet and comfortable space and find them fitting.

Much love, Sonya