Damen O'Brien

I am doing a reading and a workshop at the Booranga Writers' Centre in Wagga Wagga in two week's time. I will be reading my best poems, new and old. Come and join us! Details here: mailchi.mp/1705ff379aa1...

Proud to have two poems in Volume 9 Issue 2 of the Antae Journal of Creative Writing. Read them here: www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/...

National Poetry Laureate by Application not Nomination. That's going to end well.

Basement – by Damen O’Brien | Australian Literary Arts Magazine | ISLAND A hatch left open where we played, so we descended   into a subterranean place visited only by men in helmets   and hi vis as though preparing to navigate a labyrinth…

My poem, Basement, a reminiscence from childhood with mythic overtones is available to read in @islandmag.bsky.social: islandmag.com/read/basemen...

I love this journal (always great poems) but it has been a loonng time since I was last in it (if you don't count Gwen Harwood)! So happy to be back.

Aesthetica Magazine - Shortlist 2025 Aesthetica is a worldwide destination for art and culture. In-depth features foreground today’s most innovative practitioners across art, design, photography, architecture, music and film.

Lovely to be shortlisted in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award with some of my favourite poets: Denise O'Hagan, Julia Webb, Angela Costi and many more.

I thought of the title first and had to write the poem that goes with it: aestheticamagazine.com/creative-wri...

Poetry by Damen O’Brien Beautiful Words Know this: the gorse that scratched a ragged runein your sleeve, can’t read, the Jackdaw coughing loudly overhead, will not speak to you, the bees skirling the crisp air in arabesques ...

Five of my poems written during my trip to Ireland have been published in Unborder, a new online journal alongside some wonderful Australian poets. Read them here: unborder.au/poetry-by-da...

I am thinking of putting together a third book, but I can't help wondering: what is the point? No one is going to read it.

Such is poetry.

Congratulations!

Fun fact: most of the matter in the universe is made up of cat hair. My cat's hair.

It's on this Friday! If you are in Brisbane please join us.

Arguably, garden shears are a non sequitur.

I think I am only going to submit to journals with 'review' in their name. I am going for the full set.

I once wrote an ekphrastic poem about a painting that doesn't exist.

I got so excited I got the date wrong - 24 OCTOBER!

Be there!

Gardening on Mars, the new book from Jane Frank is out now through Shearsman Books!

I can't speak highly enough about Jane's poetry. If you are in Brisbane on 26 October, come join us at Avid Reader for Jane's Launch.

The details are avidreader.com.au/pages/12930-...

I hope to see you there.

Thanks, Rosanna!

I was only in it once in 25 attempts but that publication was one of my proudest - very sad to see Meanjin go.

Since 2019, one Australian journal has rejected me 11 times. Should I give up?

If you are going to reject my poetry, take a couple of days. Don't reject me in 24 hours - it makes me wonder if you read the poems at all.

There's also a poetry open mic event after each workshop.
When: 5:00pm, Sat 2 & 9 Aug
Where: It’s Still A Secret, South Brisbane
Come along, listen to live readings and perhaps read something of your own?

Poetry Workshop with International Poet-in-Residence Dr Victoria Kennefick — Queensland Writers Centre Be inspired by the poetry of Ireland, write beyond your comfort zone and into the dark. Book your place .

Looking forward to attending Victoria Kennefick's workshops on 02 August and 09 August. There might still be spots available. If you are interested, find the details here: queenslandwriters.org.au/events/strok...

Should poetry be memorable?

The best inspiration is always the good work of others, isn't it - always makes you want to step up to the challenge.

I hope you read something that inspires you.

I have been feeling down about poetry lately - wondering what is the point of working so hard when no one is reading any of it.

Then I read a new book from one of my good friends - and it's so good, I was inspired to pull out the pencil and write some lines.

What monster includes the heading in the line count?

It turns out that I am a member of the poetry bourgeoisie because my poems mostly don't rhyme.

I stumbled across an exchange where I was described as a member of 'academia' and my poetry a jumble of random words and obscure references.

Should I feel insulted?

Time of our lives. If we could afford to live in Ireland we would.

2025 Winners First Prize: £1000 Jane Burn Second Prize: £500 Damen O’Brien Third Prize: £250 Mary Gilonne

My poem ‘False Pastoral’ received 2nd Prize in the Plough Art Centre’s Poetry Prize. You can see me reading it at www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/poetry-prize....

Great to see @triciadearborn.bsky.social in amongst the Highly Commended.

Thankyou to @pascalepetit.bsky.social for choosing my poem

Everywhere I went on my travels in Ireland I came across poetry: memorials, centres, museums, quotes in public places, posters, even water-bottles. Why can't Australia have the same respect for its writers? Imagine a bottle of water with Patrick White's face on it! ...Maybe not.

Congratulations - it is a great book.