Inside the quiet space
time will bend
branches over water
tall grasses tumble
meanings for peace
walkers stumble stones
beyond deadlines
dreamers seek
how solitude mends.
(c) June Perkins
“In every age and cycle He hath, through the splendorous light shed by the Manifestations of His wondrous Essence, recreated all things, so that whatsoever reflecteth in the heavens and on the earth the signs of His glory may not be deprived of the outpourings of His mercy, nor despair of the showers of His favors. How all-encompassing are the wonders of His boundless grace!”
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah
Outpourings in darkness
soul frames longing
lost, lassoing,
looking
twisting twirling
torrential
light.
Thoughts into action
flight away from fancy
focus
flowing
freedom
singing rungs to
heaven.
Ripple rising
through the water
torch like
from torment,
terrifying,
transforming into
tenacious
hope's
leviathan.
(c) Poem by June Perkins
Poem inspired by photograph and Gleaning from Nineteen Months
Design element IVI Designs
(Pictured above: Sharon, Dimity and June)
Delighted to be on a panel with these two insightful women, Sharon Orapeleng, and Dimity Powell, to discuss the challenges and gifts of Diaspora to – community, writing, and publishing.
The session is fully booked out, and is happening before the Queensland Writer’s Centre, Christmas Party in a couple of weeks.
Sharon Orapeleng is a behavioral change expert and a mental health professional. Through Psyched Solutions Training and Consultancy – Sharon is on a journey to create a much more compassionate community that cares by embedding the African philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’’ – I am Because We Are, in all she does. A renowned speaker and community advocate, Sharon works with workplaces, businesses and communities delivering workshops on mental health awareness and wellbeing as well as facilitating cultural diversity conversations. She also works for the Queensland Government as a strategic policy and program lead for mental health community support programs delivered by non-government organisations.
Dimity Powell is the Managing Editor for Kids’ Book Review. Amongst her 30
published stories and six books are the recent Oswald Messweather (2021), and
the forthcoming This is My Dad (2022), Discover more at dimitypowell.com
June Paisa Perkins, author, poetry advocate, educator, and director of gumbootspearlz press, defines herself as a world citizen in the diaspora ocean whilst looking outwards from Brisbane. She has edited two community collections themed Cassowary Coast and recovery from cyclones, and independently published two poetry collections. WQ 275 is her first commissioned editing position.
@gumbootspearlz.
A huge thank you to the Queensland Writers Centre for their support of Diverse communities.
It was such a highlight to have this wonderful chat with the effervescent Michelle Worthington, from Share Your Story
We tackled some cool questions from children about what it is like to be a poet!
There are many other inspiring interviews with other creatives, such as Candice Lemon Scott, Dannika Patterson, Karen Tyrell, just to name a few, so do check out Ask a Creative with Michelle
There are interviews with a clown, comedian, authors, illustrators and more!
Thank you Michelle for having me as a guest in this series.
Ripple Poetry 