IN FOCUS : JIM SPAIN :: POET OF THE LAND

Jim Spain has dedicated himself to the craft of Bush Verse, specialising in modern rhymes for current times. The Lansvale poet has been writing since 1979, sparked by an inner need, and spurred on by a community course. 

Jim loves travelling, finding inspiration along the road for his verse. He is deeply passionate about Australia and all her idiosyncrasies and frequently draws on this sentiment in his work. 

A regular participant on the local festival circuit, reciting his work across the city and in far-flung regional areas, Jim recently turned his attention to his local zone and participated in Riverbeats, Parramatta’s riverside creative extravaganza. Jim’s Haiku poetry was part of the live Light and Sound performance, which also included a special composition by the internationally acknowledged ensemble, Synergy Percussion. Along with a selection of Haiku from other writers, Jim’s work was recited and projected on massive screens along the banks of Parramatta River. 

Writers Groups are another of Jim’s outlets, offering him the opportunity to share his poems and ponderings. He is a part of the New Writers Group, an active community of writers which celebrates and cultivates the distinctive character of local writing in the Western Sydney area. 

During Jim’s travels he’s performed in myriad venues across New South Wales, his trips taking in the Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival, Silverton Museum, Bourke on the Banks and Lightnin' in the Ridge as well as bush schools in the outback, in addition to his participation in performances at Fairfield, Merrylands, Liverpool and Parramatta Festivals. 

“Amblin’ around Australia findin’ reasons to rhyme”, Jim roams the roads collecting inspiration which he then crafts into poetic pieces, later publishing them in four volumes: My Australia Series - this bloody country, Bootin' About Series - wanderin' west, Roamin' 'round Series - north and south

and Amblin' Australia Series - bootin' n' roamin'. 

The retiree-turned-writer has had to climb a steep learning curve to master the workings of computers, but has overcome the tyranny of technology through self-education and the guidance of his peers. His volumes are sold through his website as ‘bookettes’, which he personalises for gift recipients.

Writing under his pen name Rimeriter, Jim is a dyed in the wool Aussie whose poems reflect his wry sense of humour and love of his country. To Jim, creativity is all about enjoyment – for the writer and his many readers alike. 

Now and into the future Jim Spain will continue to write, to travel this country - its beauty and characters his muse, its creative offerings a wellspring of inspiration for this poet of the land. 

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Aussie Outback. 

Rough and rugged winding coastline, between the oceans and the sea,

lost and lonely is the Outback, lacking sustenance to share. 

Arid Plains and Ancient Mountains, in a land remote and free,

our Australian Island Continent has an Outback sparse and bare. 

Duned and stony in the centre, fine grained sands and stones so red,

stained with ochre, sifted softly through the Dreamtime endlessly. 

River channels, seldom water. Dry salt lake beds. Wildlife’s dread.

Monoliths and quartzite outcrops being sculpted, ceaselessly. 

Spinifex. Pincushion patches. Tombstones, worn from sandy shale.  

Giant wheel ruts of the Ages. Meandering waterless dry bed streams 

Bleached dry bones in natures grave site. Moon at night provides the pale.

Old and ancient. Myths and Legends. Born in mist. Retained in Dreams. 

The Red Centre. Australia’s Heartland. Forlorn face in need of Rest.

Enjoy her beauty with her splendour,

Our Island Continent.

The very Best. 

(c) Rimeriter 11/2/00

Translated from WriteNow 26/4/07 

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