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i am a shopaholicGeoffrey Aitken is an awarded South Australian poet and retired educator who writes on unceded Kaurna land. He won a place (of three) in the Friendly Street Poets Anthology "New Poets 19". His debut industrial signature styled Chapbook 'i want that in writing' was generated from his 'open mic' spoken word poetry. His poetry credits include AUS, UK, US, FR, CAN and CN and Fr.
Geoffrey has featured 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 in 2019 at 'SPIN' Moana and on several occasions has enjoyed sharing thirty minutes of poetry on Happy FM 90.1 with host Jan Potter and the great southern radio audience on her Tuesday Fleurieu poetry show 'Words to Share'. He is a member of 'Friendly Street' and 'The Ochre Coast Poets'. His 'lived experience' concerns him about mental health along our avenues. 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
https://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
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
'i want that in writing' Geoffrey Aitken’s 'i want that in writing' invites purchase (@ $5.00AU) for ongoing encouragement, recognition, and your enjoyment. Otherwise available at https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/chapbooks.htm and
"New Poets 19" Friendly Street Poets' Anthology "New Poets 19" (Rainbow Press 2018) in which his poetry appears and remains available at a reduced and very saleable price of $15.00AU. Free postage within Australia.
MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS
‘unpredicted’ first published at ‘Our Days Encounter’ June 3rd, 2023 edited by Lennie Cox unpredicted | Our Day's Encounter (wordpress.com)
‘suck momentum’ first published at Maya’s Micros, May ’23 edited Daniel Morgan and Maya highland ‘The Closed Eye Open’ Maya’s Micros Ed. 22 – The Closed Eye Open
‘spliff’ first published ‘Impspired’ August ‘23 edited Steve Cawte Geoffrey Aitken – impspired
‘neo-modern plot’ first published May 2023 Issue 35 UNUSUAL WORK edited by π.Ο.
‘unusual depth’ & ‘100% implausible’ first published May 6th, 2023 Five Fleas edited by Robin/Roberta Beach Jacobsen Five Fleas (Itchy Poetry)
One thing I have learnt is that you can't give up on family no matter how tempting they make it. My passion for cooking comes from my mother Ruth to whom I dedicate this page. My love of entertaining started in the mid 60’s when Dad 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 and glasses, family favourites and the ‘hospitality of the table’ 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 and feel free to give us any feedback. Please use the contact form for your purchase/s or engage Geoffrey or Jenny in friendly conversation.
unpredicted
it fell today
the idea
that the ocean
was just a cloud
shaking out
its wrinkles
in late rain.
first published ‘Our Days Encounter’June 3rd, 2023 edited by Lennie Cox unpredicted | Our Day's Encounter (wordpress.com)
suck momentum
who were you
in kiss chase
opposite in restaurant
adjacent in concert performance
attractive in candlelight
and bathing costume
for eyesight memory
and longing promises
of feet on the dash
until mortgaged suburban vows
said gone missing
who was i
first published Maya’s Micros, May ’23 edited Daniel Morgan and Maya highland ‘The Closed Eye Open’ Maya’s Micros Ed. 22 – The Closed Eye Open
spliff
my father
was a box
filled with
temptations
of poke and punch
or words that teased
in prompts for answers
quickly wronged
or refuted
then requestioned
for answers to quickly routine
as he was a cheese
unready to mature
believing it would
only age him.
first published ‘Impspired’ August ‘23 edited Steve Cawte Geoffrey Aitken – impspired
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion diced
5 large celery stalks diced
3 large carrots diced
1 clove garlic chopped
6 cups water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
7 bay leaves
In a large pot combine the olive oil, onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Sauté on high heat for five minutes.
Add water, salt, peppercorns and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat down to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Taste and add more salt if desired.
Strain and use
Freezes well