Martin Christmas
nearly burnt the house down when he lit a match to papers in the 44 gallon drum beside the house. Black smudges up the bricks, mark that memory. Mum posing in white gloves, hat, and Sunday-best clothes under the ancient almond tree that soon afterwards got the axe. The surrounding subururban traffic hum just the same today. Someone has just kicked a goal on the next door oval. This place is my retreat. Its shadows, backyard spirits, memories, a living, breathing life force that keeps me moving forward through the challenges of today.
Martin Christmas, a South Australian poet and photographer, has been published in many Australian anthologies, and overseas on-line literary magazines including Red River Review (the USA), as Featured Poet, and StepAway Magazine (the UK). He is currently mentoring a young poet and will be the editor of his first poetry book. Martin’s poetry books are Immediate Reflections, The Deeper Inner, D&M Between 2 Men, and Random Adventures (all by Ginninderra Press). He has an M.A. in Cultural Studies. His photographs reflect his interest in urban street and coastal scenes. His spoken word event photographs reflect the living spirits of his subjects.
Old Water Rat Publishing 