Poetry of Geoffrey Aitken and Recipes of Jenny Aitken - Poetry Feasting

Food and A Poet’s Philosophy. The poetry of Geoffrey Aitken and favourite recipes of Jenny Aitken

We acknowledge the Kaurna People as the true custodians of the Adelaide Region and their connections to land, sea, and community. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded and we pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Geoffrey Aitken

Geoffrey Aitken is an awarded South Australian poet and retired educator who writes on unceded Kaurna land. His 'lived experience' concerns him about mental health along our avenues and he uses it thematically to share with readers and listeners who find his expressiveness both timeless and warmly comforting. His debut industrial signature-styled Chapbook 'i want that in writing' was generated from his 'open mic' spoken word poetry in 2020.This has been followed by an insightful look into the shadows of poor mental health in 'No Laughing Matter' demonstrating his brand of ironically wry irresistible humour.
He began his journey after winning a place (of three in 2018) in the Friendly Street Poets Anthology "New Poets 19". His poetry credits include AUS, UK, US, FR, CAN, CN, and Fr.
Geoffrey has been the featured poet at 'The Good Word' - Capt. Rehab on Nile Street in Port Adelaide, 'Speak Hear' in the city on Hindley Street at Wakanda Multicultural Bar, 'SPIN' the 'open mic' of the Adelaide southern suburbs at the Willunga Alma Hotel, and most recently at VoiceBox again in Port Adelaide. Visit these links for a fuller picture of Geoffrey, his experiences, and his craft.
Finally, A Beginning by Geoff rey Aitken — wattletales.com.au with thanks to Lindy Warrell
htt ps://www.theperspectiveproject.co.uk/geoffrey-aitken with thanks to Rachel Berlingieri
https://www.facebook.com/100049612571571/videos/1126443204627328/. with thanks to Tina Cane, Poet Laureate for Rhode Island
synonymous | Geoffrey Aitken | Radon Journal 'synonymous' nominated for the annual Best of the Net anthology [2022]
Synonymous
i am a shopaholic

a neo-progressive
basket filler
of contemporary ideals
and political propriety

i communicate relevance
while recycling
off-handedness
carelessness
and immediacy

i still seek value
quality and durability
while transacting
good humour
reliability
and authenticity

I power purchase

Geoffrey's most recent publications
w‘'perspective' 'creature comfort' and 'at the reading' first published December 1, 2023 editor Steve Cawte impspired Geoffrey Aitken – impspired
w 'blocked’ first published 30th November 2023 editor Darren Carlawhttp://stepawaymagazine.com/archives/5310
w ‘mod rock road’ first published November 2023 The Closed Eye Open Issue X edited Daniel MorganIssue X.pdf - Google Drive
w ‘stationary steps’ first published November 2023 edited Cheryl Howard ‘Oxygen 6’ Magazineoxygen (oxygenpoetrymagazine.blogspot.com)
w ‘tapped for lines’ first published October 21st 2023 edited Roberta Beach Jacobsen Five Fleas Itchy Poetry https://fivefleas.blogspot.com/
w ‘a combination pack’ first published UNUSUAL WORK issue 3 6 October 2023 edited π.Ο.
w ‘keep it quiet’ and ‘a colder truth’ first published September 26th, 2023 edited Randal Burd Jr. Sparks of Calliope Two Poems by Geoffrey Aitken – Sparks of Calliope
w ‘any option is the biggest seller’ first published August 1st, 2023 editor Steve Cawte impspired Geoffrey Aitken – impspired
w '[White Thrift]' commended August 2023 ‘poem of the month’ Friendly Street Poets editors Rob Ferris & Maria Vouis Poem of the month – Friendly Street Poets
wunder-privilege in the handbook’ first published Mindshare [soc media & website] ‘an open mic venue’ & ‘under-privileged in the handbook’ 2023. Welcome to mindshare

Publications available for purchase
'i want that in writing' [2020] and 'No Laughing Matter' [2023] are Geoffrey Aitken's two Chapbooks that he invites you to purchase at $6.00AU each using the contact form on this site. Otherwise available at Geoffery Aitken / No Laughing Matter (ginninderrapress.com.au) and Our books (ginninderrapress.com.au)

Jenny Aitken

My passion for cooking comes from my mother Ruth to whom I dedicate this page.
I grew up in a family with strong family values, unconditional love where our play, laughter, fears, tears, hopes and dreams were important to all family members, our contributions listened to and valued. A family of great cooks who embraced the 'hospitality of the table' family celebrations were veritable feasts with loads of talk and laughter, there was always room for one more at the table.
Geoff - 'Ruth introduced me to a range of foods and behaviours unknown to me and my sheltered but rebellious ways... she through Jen assisted a young, reserved and shy lad to open up and enjoy the life she knew had been given to us from her Methodist God. I enjoyed family gatherings the like I'd not previously experienced and to my glee was graciously accepted as another member... as valued as any other.'
My love of entertaining started in the mid 60’s when my father Colin knocked down a wall to make a dining room. The dining table, beautifully crafted by my grandfather Richard 'Dick' Rees, set with the best crockery, glasses and delicious family favourites formed the basis of the entertaining Geoff and I still do today. Sadly my childhood home at Warradale, primary and high schools and the church, a huge part of my childhood socially and where I played sport (meeting Geoff as a young 15 year old whilst playing tennis) have all been demolished.
Recipes are a mixture of family favourites, classic comfort foods or taken from reading cookbooks and the latest online blogs.
Artwork on the front cover of 'My Family Cooks' a family cookbook was drawn by daughter Jess one Sunday afternoon when she was about 9 years old.

Enjoy, feel free to give us any feedback and use the contact form for your purchase/s or to engage Geoffrey or Jenny in friendly conversation.

authority
has called us out

as nuisances
pranksters
and deviants

since birth

to be monitored
by surveillance

for the ongoing
safe operation of system

maximizing efficiency

that finds and discourages

nuisances
pranksters
and deviants

defined only
by criminal records

in households
where teenage angst

congregates around retro turntables.

'keep it quiet' first published September 26^th, 2023 Sparks of Calliope edited Randal Burd Jr. Two Poems by Geoffrey Aitken – Sparks of Calliope