Nonfiction Poems 2017-2018

Research Background Cole Swensen writes: 'poetry...is not only perfectly capable of conveying truth; it can also attain a unique relationship to truth because it implicitly acknowledges and interrogates the limitations of language' (2011, 58). This portfolio of 'nonfiction poems' gathers individually published works that continue my scholarly and creative-practice research in the field of 'nonfiction poetry' to explore how poetry is capable of representing nonfiction subject matter in new and productive ways. Contemporary writers engaged in similar explorations include: Jordie Albiston (Aus), Susan Howe (US), Rita Dove (US) and Michael Ondaatje (Canada). Each of these writers undertake, in different ways, historical and archival research in order to produce poems on historical figures, while also at times experimenting with writing autobiographical poetry. Research Contribution Each poem in this portfolio explores intersections and tensions between factual 'data' and the poetic form. The poems employ nuances of poetic language-line, rhythm, metaphor, visual play etc.-in an attempt to represent an aspect(s) of the subject's life and experience, through writing. In other words, these poems develop the possibilities of the "biographical" or "autobiographical" poem tradition by highlighting the significance of components of form when it comes to biographical writing. Research Significance These separate works were published in four of the most well-respected Australian literary journals in my field: 'Cordite', 'Westerly', 'Australian Poetry Anthology' and 'Overland'. 'Apollon Musagete' was subsequently republished in 'Best Australian Poems 2017'. Three of the poems were produced as outcomes of research conducted in the NY Public Library and Houghton Library (Harvard) supported by the prestigious Marten Bequest Travel Award. The autobiographical work ('Reflected') was produced as a result of an international exchange program funded by an Australia-Korea Foundation grant.