Poets: William Carlos Williams and Nicole Hawke

The Louis Joel Poetry Pod aims to be a forum for discussion about poetry, what people like and what they don’t and why. A strong emphasis is placed upon making poetry accessible and fun with a diverse range of writers, forms, media etc. Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and perhaps most importantly with members of the community outlining some of their favourite poems or song lyrics, and why etc.

The latter is a segment we are calling Hobson’s Choice as it reflects our little beachside community in Altona in the Hobson Bay area just to the west of Melbourne, Australia’s CBD.

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In our third episode we take the opportunity to take a deep dive into the poetry of William Carlos Williams and it is not all smooth sailing, with a variety of opinions about the three poems considered as well as the value of stone fruit in general.  

We also have an interview with one of our great local poets, Nicole Hawke and discuss not just her work and the process she employs but also her experience of the value of writer’s groups.

Hobson’s Choice returns interviews with a couple of community members who talk about poems and song lyrics by Leonard Cohen and Terrica Strudwick

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Poems and Lyrics discussed in this episode:

The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams

This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams

Danse Russe by William Carlos Williams

'Suzanne' Lyrics⁠ by Leonard Cohen

The Ancient Land by Terrica Strudwick

Poems by Nicole Hawke

Sangria Roses with Cherry Wine

© Nicole Hawke, Published Anthology 2023

Crimson rose petals scattered

Across marble bench top

Some flow onto the floor

As the breeze blows through flywire

Each rose critically picked

Every thorn cautiously removed

Then bound in ruby ribbon

Hoped like hell you were inspired

 

Bold, obvious to arouse

Lips dashed a sharp scarlet

Burgundy négligée straps dangling down

Prancing, romancing ‘round your fire.

 

Lead you deep, deep inside my love

Burning blaze of kisses laid all over

Candy-apple nails trace down your spine

Never, ever will you stop or tire.

I will lay you on that bed of roses

Drip merlot down your middle

Lay beside you, lick it, make you blush

Promise, you are my only desire.

Ladybug

© Nicole Hawke, 6 January 2020 A ladybug landed on my hand

As a photo was snapped on your mother’s land

Overlooking Thirroul is where she rests

Atop the clifftop at the end of the walk

Where you and I journey but barely talk

Encircling you now; rest on my breast.

New Chapter

© Nicole Hawke, Published Anthology 2019

So unfair

New clothes

Different hair.

Forced to as

A horrid past

Messed up cyclone

Falling apart.

Stirring to newness

With goodness and care

Hope for a breakthrough

Above rainbow glare.

Not making sense

As days go bye-byes

But, give it time

Clear away the lies.

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We would like to hear from you!

As part of our 'Hobsons Choice' segment, we would like to hear from you! If you would like to be interviewed about a poem or if you just want to share your love of poetry, send us an email on [e-mail]. Constructive criticism and praise are