Salt and Petals

By James Milenkovic

In his first collection of verse, poet James Milenkovic offers a fresh vision of the Australian landscape and its people, both ancient and modern. Under his pen, the land assumes a dreamy, ambiguous and almost enigmatic quality that sometimes thwarts and sometimes amazes its human inhabitants. Readers will take much pleasure in the situations an

• Language: English
• Publisher: Debbie Lee
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781760410742

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Salt and Petals

Salt and Petals

James Milenkovic

Ginninderra Press

Contents

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Under a Banner of Sun

Into the Pearled Space

The Lamplight of Our Existence

The Trembling Flame

Salt and Petals

ISBN 978 1 76041 074 2

Copyright © text James Milenkovic 2016

Cover: Gabriele De Palma

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All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Requests for permission should be sent to the publisher at the address below.

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First published 2016 by

Ginninderra Press

PO Box 3461 Port Adelaide 5015 Australia

www.ginninderrapress.com.au

Acknowledgements

I humbly give thanks to Caitilin Punshon for her perceptive comments, and offering me support and guidance during the shaping of this collection. I also thank Chris Elmore for his kind words. I extend my appreciation to the spectacular team at Ginninderra Press, who have afforded me this fabulous opportunity, especially Stephen Matthews. Thanks also to Gabriele De Palma who produced the ethereal front cover design, Eternity. Moreover, I thank the subjects of these poems for sparking something within me (be they anonymous or not). Also, I humbly thank you, the reader, for investing your time in this collection.

Finally, my dear family – Mum, Jode and Bec – who have encouraged me, supported me, challenged me and loved me through this journey. I love you all.

For Mum, Jode and Bec

Under a Banner of Sun

Country Victoria

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i Driving

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we packed up the comforts of home

to vacate for the weekend,

heading into the trappings

of country living:

slumberous hamlets of wood fires,