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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.

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RAMA LAMA DING DONG and “What comes first?” Competition

RAMA LAMA DING DONG
“Lyrics don’t mean anything! Like ‘Rama-lama-ding-dong’ or ‘Give Peace a Chance’!”
Homer Simpson

Time & date: Friday 5 November 7.30pm
Location: Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne
Free event, book here, via on the Wheeler Centre website.

The Edsels released, “Rama Lama Ding Dong” in 1958 which became a national hit, but surely not because of the lyrics. Would Bach have been better with words? What would Gilbert be without Sullivan or Rodgers without Hammerstein? And what comes first, the music or the lyrics?

On November 5th, the Australian Poetry Centre has decided the music comes first, with a competition called What Comes First, offering poets and wordsmiths all over Australia the chance to write the lyrics for a new hit single! The music has been written by established composer/music producer, James Roche (from Bachelor Girl). Lyrics are currently being submitted and short-listed applicants will sing, Karaoke style, their lyrics to James’ music on the night, hoping their words will be the perfect fit for the song. To submit lyrics, see the competition details below.

Rama Lama Ding Dong is a partnership between the Wheeler Centre and Australian Poetry Centre and we invite you to what should be a very entertaining evening of words and music.

What Comes First?

The Competition

When a song is created do the words or music come first? Well the APC now gives the writer no choice! As an Australian poet/wordsmith, you are being set the challenge to write lyrics for a new hit single!

You will have until 30 September to submit lyrics for this new song, composed by established ARIA award-winning music composer/producer, James Roche, who will select the winning entry in consultation with a judging panel. Please email admin@australianpoetrycentre.org.au with all questions.

The winner will:

* Get to work with James Roche in developing the work for recording & release
* Receive 5 personal copies of the professionally recorded/mastered song
* Receive part ownership of the song (with James) and a royalty from all sales – to be negotiated
* Receive airplay of their song on Australian radio stations, such as RRR
* 2 x double pass to any Australian Poetry Centre event in 2011 (excluding workshops)

The Song

The structure of the song is: Verse 1, Chorus 1, Verse 2, Chorus 2, Bridge, Instrumental, Chorus 3 (break down) Chorus 4, Outro tags. Poets may allow themselves a little flexibility with the melody, if a great lyric requires a subtle change. However, the purpose is to write to this melody. There are four keys. Choose one that suits either you or a friend to sing along to comfortably. There are versions with a guide melody, and ones without. Once you have learned the melody, you may find it more enjoyable to work to the track without the guide.

You can download the music here

TO ENTER
Please send a hard copy of your lyrics, fill out this entry form and post along with cheque or money order to:
Australian Poetry Centre
PO Box 21082
Little Lonsdale Street VIC 8011
Or post your entry form to the above postal address and pay by paypal here:
One or more entries


Your entry will only be accepted if a hard copy of your entry form and lyrics have been received.
ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO: admin@australianpoetrycentre.org.au