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A report by Cathy Comiskey on the September AGM speaker

It’s the evening of the 2005 AGM for the Society, and performance poet Mandy Beaumont welcomes members and visitors at the entrance with an invitation to sign the Society’s custom-made poetry wall.

What to write? No time to browse or peruse others’ efforts until later — just jot down the first thing that comes to mind. Mmm — the dangling carrot of a fortnight’s break in a day or two provides sufficient inspiration for a few lines! Beside the poetry wall dangles a lucky dip bucket — instead of wrapped gifts we receive our own clip of verse to take home with us. (Three days later, when those longed-for holidays have begun, Emilie Zoey Baker’s words are read and appreciated.)

Thus the evening began; the business of the AGM was efficiently dealt with and then the creativity continued. Taped beneath our chairs were incomplete lines of poetry; our task was to make them whole. Judges were appointed, bribes were invited and the games began.

Those of us who haven’t been to many (or any) other meetings welcomed the opportunity to learn some names and get to know something about the members. The regulars probably discovered new and interesting things about their colleagues. Who was it who likes to lie in bed alone for many hours? Who’ll explode if he has to edit another haiku? What was that about an orgy of self-destruction? What was that about Big Brother needing editors? Who said he loves us all so much he could cry?

And the winner is …
‘Poetry is a bit on the side.’ Pithy and saucy, according to judges Kim and Margaret. Karen Lau won the poetry award for the evening, and Mandy treated us to a recitation of a few of her works, concluding with one about writing a book. A fine poet she is. Sassy too.

In keeping with Mandy’s dislike of titles, this report doesn’t have one. As for the poetry responses quoted, this relatively new member hopes she has the names right: Jennifer B, Pat, Justin, Shelley and George.