HOLD THAT TIGER
By Chloe Wilson
That morning, in the mirror,
I’d pulled my draping cheek-skin upward.
I had shone, taut and foreign,
the gums and incisors
glistering with saliva.
While evening and the show crowds gathered,
I watched him. The chain glinked
as he traced his circle,
always stalking - even the grass
shivered under his breath.
Entering the ring, he beckoned
me to dance, laid one
paw on each shoulder
and rolled me in the dirt.
His mouth opened wide
as bedclothes, and I scented
the iron on his tongue
while he hinged his hips
and the crowd thought I was dying.
Tigers like to dine alone.
I knew this; yet stayed a moment
too long, waiting
for an invitation
and was not all that surprised
to find a joint of meat missing
from my thigh.
They hunt by pressing you
to their hearts, then
kicking out your insides
in a casual sweep.
There’s the danger.
Not, after all, in the teeth
but beneath the tail,
which, like a finger,
searches out any pleasures
the front end may have missed.
This one slid
his tongue along the contours
of my bowel,
sniffing like a sommelier.
That night, he cleaned himself
thoroughly, that supple
tongue spreading like a stingray
under the nails
and detailing the groin;
ignoring the crowd
nobly, as they shook
the metal bars
that keep them safe.
‘Hold That Tiger’ is featured in The Mermaid Problem, Chloe Wilson’s first collection that has been published as part of the APC’s 2010 New Poets Series, more details here.
There are a number of opportunities for students interested in writing, reading or finding out more about poetry.
The Australian Poetry Centre is proud to announce the SCHOOL POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
What’s A Poet Laureate?
Poet Laureates have been around for hundreds of years. In the UK, the poet laureate was traditionally chosen by the queen as the country’s official poet. The poet laureate’s job was to write poems for special occasions and to act as a national figurehead for poetry.
These days the USA and many other countries have poet laureates. Some cities have their own poet laureates too. Examples of recent famous poet laureates include Billy Collins (USA), Andrew Motion (UK) and Benjamin ‘IQ’ Theolonius Sanders (Memphis, USA).
A School Poet Laureate is a student who holds that same position within their own school.
What Does A School Poet Laureate Do?
The exact duties of a School Poet Laureate are up to students and teachers to decide. The role may include writing poems for special events like sports day and graduation, editing poetry sections for the school newsletter or yearbook, organising a student poetry publication or event, etc. You can also suggest your own ideas for poetry activities you would organise as a laureate – the more creative the better! School Poet Laureate is a title that shows you play an important role within your school, and a great thing to include on your CV for job applications.
What Do I Get For Being a School Poet Laureate?
Each School Poet Laureate will have a poem published on the Australian Poetry Centre’s website, be connected to all other School Poet Laureates around the country, be offered opportunities by the Australian Poetry Centre to read poetry on radio, be published as a writer and get to attend Australian Poetry Centre events representing their schools, while also receiving information about publishing outlets, funding and other opportunities for young writers.
How Can I Become A School Poet Laureate?
Let your teachers know that you are keen! If they are aware of the program they will be on the lookout for interested students, or they may set up an application process through which you will have to submit examples of your writing and a statement about why you want to be a school poet laureate. If your teachers don’t know about school poet laureates yet, tell them to email admin@australianpoetrycentre.org.au to receive an information pack. Or call (03) 9094 7826. You can also email this address or call this number with your own questions.
Good Luck!
Nothing Rhymes with RRR is a podcast produced by the Australian Poetry Centre in conjunction with RRR radio station. The podcast will be broadcast on this website and the RRR website.
Check out Nothing Rhymes with RRR at this link.
If you would like to get involved, please email paul@australianpoetrycentre.org.au
For updates, notification of events, competitions and poetry-related activities to get involved with, it’s worth joining the Australian Poetry Centre. Please see the membership section of this website and join now for further opportunities.