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AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS & WRITERS FOR PEACE
A poem by Mandy Beaumont

[Above] Photo of Mandy Beaumont by Vikki Craddock, 2003.

Mandy Beaumont


I'm on an old metal framed council bus
sitting on it's faded yellow upholstery
watching the bus driver chewing gum
to pass the time that is peak city traffic

Outside above the peaks of ugly industry
loom grey bruised clouds
ready to fill us with their heavy weight

     -     No body on buses talks any more (only crazy old men) -

My body is pressed up against the side of the buses' walls
and I stare at a beautiful Asian girl -
maybe 20 years old
who is silently on the street corner with her camera

     -     I'm sure she must notice little things like I do -

Amongst all this city madness, this growling beast of a machine
the beautiful girl stands
and against the dark backdrop of those clouds and black faces
her camera flashes luminous stars of light -

that fall into the cities pavements

About the Poet Mandy Beaumont

Mandy Beaumont is a 26 year old Brisbane Poet. In 2003, Mandy won the WestEnder Poetry Prize and was the 1st resident poet for vibewire.net as part of the Australia Council's "write in you face" program. Mandy was the first poet to have her poetry displayed on a Telephone signal Box as part of the Brisbane City Council/Hands on Art "Artforce Awards" and has also had her work published in many magazines, newspapers and Youth Arts Queensland publications. Mandy is a current recipient of the 2003 Youth Arts Queensland Mentoring Program for her poetry and was invited to read at the opening night of the 2003 National Poetry Week as part of the "sin invitational mic". Mandy is also a part of the Brisbane Poets collective Speedpoets and has been published with Speedpoets on many occasions. Mandy was a guest reader at October 2003 Creative Queensland Night at Parliament House and in October was also published in Retort, Ink (UK) and Dotlit magazines. Mandy will also be involved in Straight Out of Brisbane's Words program as a quest panellist and performance poet in December. Mandy's writing is narratative and observational. Through the written word, Mandy explores issues that confront the reader - poetry to agitate and promote thought. Mandy's influences include the Australian Poet Michael Dransfield, the writings of Nick Cave, Charles Bukowski and the lyrics of Jeff Buckley. She has just completed her first book of poetry titled Hunger - a feast of poems, musty aromas and consuming afterthoughts".
   [Above] Photo of Mandy Beaumont by Vikki Craddock, 2003.

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