My companion sits, Thus, arms and legs splayed In abandon. Mouth open- Pathetic, hoarse From a faded cry. Destroyed existence, We sit, Can only be still together- In a silence- That shocks and saddens. From hot fury- To body still, Life goes 'around- Normality- Taut legs beg respect- I respect you friend. Keep flies from your eyes- So faded and white. Dried blood 'tween mouth and earth, With you always, 'tween sky and earth

Cascadia Poetics Lab's podcast is a vibrant global journey charting the fierce, brilliant, and breathtaking edge of contemporary ecological poetry. ‘Locust looks at the contrast between tenderness and human kindness, and the contradiction in fascism of fear. It touches on the dangers of power in the hands of a single person.’ Zach Charles, podcaster and poet, Cascadia Poetry Lab, Seattle Cascadia Poetry Lab podcast, June 2026 https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/2026/06/intervie

The Poetry Tavern is a globally streamed, passion-driven podcast delivering deep, accessible literary analysis of classic and contemporary international verse. ‘Joel makes poetry fun, amusing and intriguing.”Charlotte Daems: Podcaster and poet Links to full podcast: https://thepoetrytavern.co.uk/episodes/joel-oconnor or https://youtu.be/PcNuc1Vx5zw Key sections of the podcast: 1:03 → Joel’s background and approach to poetry https://youtu.be/PcNuc1Vx5zw?t=63 2:50 → Duograms

The Hive Poetry Collective is a globally streaming, industry-revered podcast showcasing award-winning international talent and diverse, powerful voices in contemporary poetry. 'What transforms grasshoppers into a rapacious horde? Poet, essayist, playwright and activist uses his most recent work, , as a bridge between science and politics, between our nature as humans and the world around us. Listen to this interview and be transported to an Australia that exists beneath and a

People’s sense of humour, connection to the absurd, and comedy in the everyday has always been with us A bowl from Ancient Egypt with funny feet (3700 BC): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/547212 Chaplin’s ‘bread stick’ dance from The Gold Rush (1925) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DLdMa98JdM The Magic Pudding, animated (2000) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnpcETVwcG0&t=310s

June 25, 2026. A review of Locust by Jeffrey A. Lockwood, Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences & Humanities, University of Wyoming: 'As an acridologist, who has studied grasshoppers and locusts extensivelty, I find the parallels [in the Locust suite] most intriguing. Locusts exploit an abundant, ephemeral energy source during rainy years that produce plenty of plants—and humans exploited an abundant, ephemeral energy source during the industrial revolution. In a sense, ho

Our feet are roughly A foot long At least we've got The measure Of that one But still Our nose Knows nothing And out toes Can't tow a thing Our eyes are Shaped like O's And we've misnamed Our elbows They don't bow They bend Although you can use them For a regal bow, Every now and then. Our nails are what come off Second best When a hammer and nail Have struck them. Our bottom sits In our middle not at our end Mind you, In two bits not one, Unlike our lips Which too have a cr

It's great news that the two The Millennium Poets books, the reformatted 1997 edition and Millennium Poets II (2026), have now both been catelogued in the State Library of Victoria and the National Library. It feels like a real accomplishment especially knowing the forwards in the book (which Sean and I wrote about the Central Victorian/Bendigo/Maldon origins of the poets who made it happen) is there for posterity now. That and also being able to play a part in seeing that

The Millennium Poets Anthology got another mini-launch at the Stingos Poetry Reading in Abbotsford on April 25. Steve Smart, who runs the readings, kindly let Eddy oversee dedicating a section of the readings to poets in the book. Eddy, Evan, Jez, Gabby and I got to read, promote and sell the book, as well as meet up with new poets and other poets who came along and read at the original launch, like Katie. The readings had a really loving and supportive vibe for poets for al