Our intrepid band of poetry lovers further explored the theme of ‘Protest’ at our May session, including a poem by a student from Broadmeadows, some street poetry and a wonderful group poetry reading by Americans of a poem by Amanda Gorman. We are rather taken by the idea of a similar mass poetry reading in Benalla!

Poems by Australian poet Gwen Harwood selected by Kathy included ‘Suburban Sonnet’, a protest theme also represented by Maya Angelou’s powerful poem ‘I Rise’ and Helen Reddy’s song ‘I am Woman’.

Our session fell during National Reconciliation Week, and this proved fertile ground for exploration of poems and songs, including Midnight Oil’s ‘Beds are burning’, Yothu Yindi’s ‘Treaty’ and ‘Took the Children Away’, by Archie Roach.
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Next month we will look at poetry by Australian female writers, as well as sharing our poetic ‘finds’ of the past month.

​Mary Lou Keogh

​We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours exploring Protest poetry, some in the form of song – quite a contrast to our previous discussion of poetry about love.

We found that protesting at society’s inequalities has existed through the ages, and covers a wide range of groups- calls to protest the inequalities caused by the Industrial revolution, as exemplified in the strident ‘Men of England’; resentment in Ireland against British occupation – shown in Yeats’ ‘Easter 1916’; the tension in war between patriotic fervour and the destruction of society’s norms, as exemplified in ‘Beat! Beat! Drums’, or the sheer horror of Wilfred Owen’s ‘Dulce et decorum est’.

​We also had a chance to discuss the wonderful poem ‘Municipal Gum’ by indigenous poet and activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal, as well as a couple of Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s poems – ‘Requiem for the Croppies’ and the challenging ‘Punishment’.
 
We have more to discuss, and so the theme of ‘Protest’ will continue next month. We will also share any poetic gems we have discovered since our last session.
 
Mary Lou Keogh

Mary Lou Keogh
​April 22, 2026

Our small but appreciative band of poetry enthusiasts ‘shared the love’ at our March
session, covering a number of poems on the theme of love – love in all its forms, from
romantic to love of the divine.

We found the poems could be enhanced by song, music and art, as well as fine spoken word.

Renditions of some of the greatest poems in the English language, covering poets such as Shakespeare, Donne, and Marvell, as well as more modern poets such as Daragh Fleming, Eavan Boland and Maggie, one of our own participants.

Next month we change the subject somewhat, looking at protest poetry.  We will also share any poetic discoveries we have made during the month, including more love poems.
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Mary Lou Keogh

A small, enthusiastic group attended our first Poetry Appreciation session. 

We shared our reasons for enjoying poetry and read out our favourite poems.  Poems ranged across a spectrum from 'To his mistress going to bed' by John Donne, to Judith Wright's 'Woman to Man' and Robert Frost's 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening', 'Reflections' by Benalla poet Tricia Veale, to 'Refrigerator, 1957' by Thomas Lux. 

This led to much discussion, lots of laughter and an enthusiasm for further sharing on different themes.  Our theme for next month is Love Poetry, with 'love' in its broadest interpretation.

Mary Lou Keogh

For members who might enjoy reading, listening to and discussing poetry.

A chance to bring along your favourite poem to share. Participants may offer selections from poets or poetic works on agreed themes for general discussion a bit like a book group.

Suggested themes will hopefully come from the group but may touch on some of life s big themes like birth, love, war and death, as well as more light-hearted topics - ballads, songs, nature, animals.

While the focus isn't on writing poetry, if you have written poetry you would like to share on the themes discussed, you will be encouraged to do so.

Convenor:  Mary Lou Keogh 0418 590 373

Time and Place:  4th Wednesday 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm   U3A Room 1