The drawing: Poet wins prize in one of the world’s “epicentres of poetry”: John Kinsella

Last night, among other winners, John Kinsella took out the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for poetry (the CJ Dennis Prize for Poetry). His winning volume, Armour, is spun on the back cover as both “his most spiritual work to date — and his most politically engaged.” Why not? See for yourself, catch the good Professor (of English, Kenyon College, US) live today — he is giving a free public reading at Melbourne University at 4.30 pm, with his fellow poet and wife, Tracy Ryan. (Details below)

Kinsella is a self-described “vegan anarchist pacifist.” He said that winning a Vicorian Premier’s prize mattered because “Melbourne was one of the epicentres of poetry in the world.” We’re the epicentrists, so pop along and catch the quake.

You can also hear him read Perth Poem, a long, richly pop, embracing poem — an ironic paean to his hometown on Tom M Wilson‘s podcast.

JOHN KINSELLA & TRACY RYAN
“ALIVE & READING”
Presented by the Creative Writing Program in the School of Culture and Communication
at the University of Melbourne, and Meanjin Magazine
To be introduced by Sally Heath, editor of Meanjin
WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 4.30 – 6.00 pm
Visual Cultures Recource Centre
3rd floor John Medley Building (map: Building 191)
East Tower
(Turn left when you step out of the lift)
Entry to the university by gate 10 off Grattan Street