Claire Saxby

Thank you Claire for being part of an ‘Interview with a children’s Poet’

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. What poets did you enjoy reading as a child?

AAMilne, Robert Louis Stevenson,

 

2. Do you remember the first poem that you ever wrote? How old were you? Can you share it with us?

Yes, it was in grade 3 I think, so I was about 8 years old. I can remember the first verse but I think it is safest left in the vaults of my memory!

 

3. Do you write mostly in rhyme or in free verse? Do you know why?

Mostly in free verse. Occasionally in rhyme (and I can limerick almost on demand). Why? Not really sure. Free verse just seems to fit me better.

 

4. Are your poems best performed aloud or read quietly to oneself?

I like to think they’re best out loud. I guess there are some that work as quietly read too?

Can you provide an example?

 

The Underhouse

 

It’s dark

and wet

things live under there

things that are afraid of the light

 

It’s dark

and cold

things hide under there

things that don’t want to be found

 

It’s dark

and muddy

things roll under there

things that are never seen again

 

It’s dark

and cramped

things happen under there

things that only happen at night

 

It’s dark

dank, smelly, sludgy and way too closed in

my dog loves it there

Snuffling shuffling whiffing whoofing

 

This poem has appeared in The School Magazine

 

5. Who first published your poetry?

I had poems published in secondary school year books, but my first publishing experience as an adult was with poetry for adults and it was a magazine called Centoria. The fee was two stamps. My first children’s poem was in The School Magazine.

 

6. Where else have your poems been published?

The School Magazine has been where most of my poems have appeared, but one ‘Pompeii’ is still appearing on a train near you (that is…if you live in Melbourne metro area) and is also part of the education kit supporting the Melbourne Museum’s Pompeii exhibition. My poetry has also appeared in anthologies and online.

 

7. Anthologies are often places for poets to seek publication. How would you suggest a new poet find out about upcoming anthologies?

Join a writer’s network or organisation. They often list opportunities. There are writers centres in many states and also organisations like Poets Union, dedicated solely to poetry, if not to children’s poetry.

 

8. Have you published a collection of your own poems? Where would we find a copy?

No collection published. One day?

 

9. What are you working on at the moment?

A range of projects. I have several poems awaiting final tweaks, a picture book in concept stage, and a longer project underway.

 

10. Do you have a website/blog/facebook where we can find out more about you?

www.clairesaxby.com

 

11. Do you have a favourite poetry websites?

No, but my noticeboard is full to overflowing with poems I like.

 

12. Would you like to share one of your poems with us?

This poem appeared in an anthology called Celebrations, from DDD Publishing

 

Cooking Christmas

 

Catch a Christmas carol cold

and pop it in your pocket -

deep, deep down.

Curl it around your thumb

until it quivers and hums.

Knead it with your fingers

until it bubbles and sings -

rising and ready

to bring Christmas in.

 

Thanks Claire!