NT poetry slamming the nation, by Nicole Foote (Cross Media Reporter)ABC Poetica website.

Territory writers on top as Sandra Thibodeaux from Darwin becomes the Australian Poet in Residence for 2011.

Sandra Thibodeaux, a well known Darwin playwright and poet, has been awarded the 2011 National Poet in Residence from the Australian Poetry Centre. It complements the National Poetry Slam win from Alice Springs local Kelly Lee Hickey earlier this month, putting Territory poets in the top spot around the country. Sandra Thibodeaux says her 18 years living in the Northern Territory have been hugely inspirational to her work.

"The Top End weather and environment I find really conducive to writing. The multicultural dynamics... the rich history and being close to South East Asia is also inspiring. I never run out of things to write about here."

Working full time in arts administration for the past 5 years meant that Sandra hasn't had much time for her writing. Now with the residency and a playwriting grant, she has resigned her current role at the NT writers centre and is looking forward to being able to sequester herself at her Wagait Beach home and write over the wet season.

"I live in a modest dwelling. It's very peaceful on one acre near the beach. It's ideal."

Having our National Poet in Residence in Mandorah, might this be creating a new cultural hub for Darwin?

I prefer to call it Darwin's left bank" quipped Thibodeaux with a laugh "if you're looking outwards to the sea that is."

Along with being able to concentrate on her writing, Sandra's other duties as Australian National Poet in Residence will include acting as a poetry ambassador, travelling to events, workshops and performances around the country.

She is also interested in developing poetry products like poetry on stubby holders or T shirts.

Thibodeaux says that most people look to poetry in only deeply emotional situations like at weddings or funerals and hopes that in her role as National Poet in Residence, she can widen its appeal.

"A poem can really nail strong emotions quickly and deeply in a way that other forms of writing can't. It's always there and we should enjoy it on a daily basis. It only adds depth and more meaning to our lives."

Here is a poem from Sandra Thibodeaux's latest publication Extinctions (PressPress 2010).

Traffic Island by Sandra Thibodeaux

Beneath the Parap overpass

a broadway sign on wheels
has seized on two words:
'Expect delays'.
That's all -

just expect them.
From around about here
and now.
In the bank there will be a queue,

so pull over.
Take the time to set up Netbank on your phone.
The sign has a mother's concern:

best not to get your hopes up.
Expect delays.
No amount of begging at Darwin post office

will secure overnight delivery.
No amount of loose change will speed up that shopper
whose pin number fails
three times.
Factor this into your day.

Build a life on low expectations.
Avoid a fall.
That e-mail from your lover -

he hasn't sorted the thing yet.
Expect frustration.
You were thinking a cool two days -
it will be five.
And you're wanting to die right now.

You're hoping that a roadsweeper
will scour your clogged memory
and push you to the drain.
I'm sorry -
you can expect delays.
But that might just be enough for you
to ponder the 'slow-stop,
slow-
stop'
beauty of this part of the road.

******************
Australian Poetry’s 2011 Poet in Residence Program is (supported by the Pratt Foundation)

“A poet names the unnameable, points at frauds, takes sides, starts arguments, shapes the world and stops it going to sleep.” Salman Rushdie

Australian Poetry '2011 Poet in Residence Program', thanks to the generosity of the Pratt Foundation.

Due to Australian Poetry Ltd. being a national organization, poets could apply from anywhere in Australia. We will provide the selected poet with $20,000 to work as a poet in their home city, wherever they happen to live in Australia, from March 1st until October 31st, 2011.

The Poet in Residence will spend time writing poetry, reading publicly, attending events, contributing to publications and working with Australian Poetry, and relevant associated organizations, to be an ambassador for poetry, promoting their own work, Australian Poetry and the art form.

Guidelines for the Australian Poetry Ltd. '2011 Poet in Residence Program' are attached (below)