POETRY SPOTLIGHT: ‘Botanic Park’ by Heather Taylor-Johnson

This week’s poetry spotlight shines on Heather Taylor-Johnson’s freshly launched collection Alternative Hollywood Ending, highlighting the poem ‘Botanic Park’. 

Post written by Polly Grant Butler

Last night, underneath a grey and unforgiving sky, poets, novelists, artists and literature-lovers made their way to Wakefield Press to celebrate Heather Taylor-Johnson’s latest poetry collection Alternative Hollywood Ending. Despite relentless rain, our warm and cosy bookshop filled with the sounds of clattering wine glasses (thanks to Coriole), lively discussion and newly printed pages turning. 

It is clear that Heather is respected and loved in the Adelaide poetry community and beyond. Her work offers a voice that is perceptive, empathetic and original. Though the collection traverses oppression in its many forms, Heather manages to pair painful observations with an overarching sense of hope. Hearing Heather read last night, I was struck by the rhythm of her work, so seamless was the flow from one line to another. Hearing poetry read aloud is always a special thing, and so interesting compared with how the mind interprets a poem when read with the eyes. 

For this week’s poetry spotlight, I have decided to highlight one of the poems Heather read during the launch. ‘Botanic Park’ is both funny and moving, and contrasts a familiar scene with a fear of what an unfamiliar future – overwhelmed by climate catastrophe – may hold. I am particularly drawn to the the way in which the poem ends with a rhyme, highlighting a sense of finality.  

A special thank you, also, to Amelia Walker for launching the collection, and for her insightful and thought-provoking speech. Congratulations Heather, we can’t wait to see what you do next.

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