Almanac Poetry: ‘Death and Co.’ in Suburban Australia
The Scream, by Edvard Munch; oil, tempera, pastel and crayon on cardboard, 91 cm × 73.5 cm, 1893. National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design and Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway. [Wikimedia Commons.]
‘Death and Co.’ in Suburban Australia
The two of them landed on my doorstep,
dressed in business suits.
(Yes, two — there are always two of them.)
One looked like
a predatory bird.
He tilted his head to one side,
clapped his beak together.
His fleshy tongue was clicking.
He was ready for me
but I wasn’t ready for him.
I told him to piss off.
Affronted, he turned and flew.
The last I saw
he was chasing a flock of wild ducks,
heading to nearby swampland.
Now the second one
looked harder to shake.
Feigning hospitality, I invited him inside,
got him pissed as a newt
and sent his lizard carcass away
slumped in the back of a taxi,
giving the driver directions
to drop him off out of town.
I never saw either bastard again.
Read more from Kevin Densley HERE
Kevin Densley’s latest poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws…I’m Feeling Too Indolent, is available HERE
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His fifth book-length poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws ... I'm Feeling Too Indolent, was published in late 2023 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, which was published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Hey KD.
I notice your song theme posts get heaps of comments, but your poetry ones don’t.
Just wanted to let you know that I have read every one of your poems ever since I’ve become acquainted with this wonderful site.
The problem is, after I read one of your poems I’m either:
a. lost for words, or
b. don’t know what to say.
I did REALLY like a poem you wrote a few months ago, but I was too shy to say so or (like those meditative spiritual concerts that one occasionally attends where they frown on clapping or any sign of recognition until the very very end) I acknowledged your brilliance with respectful silence.
Sorry if this comment breaks some secret code of poetry appreciation etiquette.
Hi Karl.
Thanks so much for your kind words of appreciation in relation to my poetry. No, you’re certainly not breaking with an code of poetry appreciation etiquette. I enjoy receiving feedback.
I’ve been posting almost a poem a week (with the occasional break) for around four years on the Almanac site. In the past, my poems tended to get bigger responses (the numbers of comments, on numerous occasions, ran into double figures) – maybe I’ve become a bit overexposed on the site in terms of my poetry. I don’t know, really. Also,I’m aware that many Almanckers read my poems, but simply choose to quietly appreciate/consider them, rather than comment upon them – it’s not all about the comments.
The detailed critiques of my poetry tend to come in reviews of my books in print journals like Antipodes (USA), Other Poetry (UK) and online arts sites like the wonderful London Grip (UK), as well as in various Oz literary journals and websites.I’ve been fortunate to get many highly positive reviews, so that is very encouraging.
Whatever the case, in terms of being a venue for poetic expression, the Almanac is a big supporter of poetry – and I’ve successfully encouraged a number of poets, over the years, to contribute work.
Hi Karl and KD.
Yes, the poems are well-read and appreciated when first posted that’s for sure. People respond to Col’s newsletter too. But the comments are sparse. In the early days of KD’s time here, I got some comments via email. Indeed, I get a surprising number of emails pertaining to posts generally. It seems there’s a good number of people who don’t want to go public.
The first few days social media promo helps.
Poems remain accessible and we do see single views of poems posted in the past which suggests someone has done a Google search. Some of our poems bob up in the stats all the time. For example, when people Google Bruce Dawe’s ‘Life Cycle’ we are the go-to location to read it. Sometimeswe see 20-30 people on that page at the same time. I’m guessing that’s a school English class.
We hope that we provide a platform for poets, and all creators, and that discussions will contniue in the comments section.
Poetry has been a wonderful addition to the site.
We’ve moved a long way from being a footy site or even a sport site. And I love that.
Thanks for your contributions.
Cheers, JTH.
Thanks so much for your comments and the general support.