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An "Aye" for the Eye
We were delighted when Magdalena Ball decided to review David Adès’s A Blink of Time’s Eye . Magdalena's fine review that demonstrates a deep understanding of Adès’s work. In seeking to understand the craftmanship that is so evident in David’s book, Magdalena points to his work on the Poet’s Corner podcast: “… these interviews … really get into the nitty gritty of a poet’s full body of work, process, techniques and themes. I suspect that is part of why Adés own work is so r
4 days ago


Helga Jermy's Brush With Japan
It’s hard to travel to Japan and not return with something refined and beautiful. But most of us settle for set of fine knives or an elegant woodblock print. Not Helga Jermy. Helga has brought the whole country back—and, in the best tradition of Japanese gift-giving, the way it is wrapped is as impressive as the contents. Anne Kellas writes: “… Helga Jermy transposes the English language into something new. In Following the Ink , layered text becomes a live and mobile lens th
Dec 16, 2025


The Poet Cornered: Spotlighting David Adès
"... beguiling, sombre and insistent." MICHELLE CAHILL David Adès will be known to many, especially those living in Sydney, as the producer and host of the podcast Poets’ Corner. His poems and short stories have been published all over the world. We are delighted to announced that his latest book, “A Blink of Time’s Eye,” will be launched at Benledi House, Glebe, on 14 December, by Michael Campbell, Executive Director of WestWords. Your emcee for the event will be 5 Island
Nov 25, 2025


The Ease of Eggs: Nourishment for the Soul
This week, we celebrate the arrival of Benjamin Dodd's third poetry collection, The Ease of Eggs . The world Dodds witnesses and recalls in these tidy, playful lyric poems has a dignity and courtesy and unexpected kindness. And what a various, surprising and surprisingly tender world it is. As Carol Jenkins has written: "This book ... is a cabinet of the eclectic: school observations, the universe at large, men and gender, cinematic culture, science at work. But always we a


Definitely A Woman We Should Listen To
A Woman Talks to Her Tongue speaks of a family, its secrets and silences, unacknowledged griefs and inherited traumas. Written from the point of view of the fifth child in a complex family, the early poems catch and release a few moments in a daughter’s life, from her early childhood to parenthood. The second section of the book is a kind and passionate cry for truth-telling, femininity and creativity, and includes a series of remarkable monologues that examine silence and b


5 Islands Press Welcomes Eight New Poets
Selection of manuscripts from our call for submissions now complete: eight fine new poets added to our 2025 list
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