By Parker McKenzie
At 70-years-old, teacher and poet Ron Thomas has had time on his side when compiling his first poetry book Water Over Rock.
“I belong to a writers group called Writely So, where we discuss each other’s poems each fortnight and criticize each other’s work and improve each other’s work,” he said.
“I’ve been doing that for a few years, writing two or three poems a week for the last two or three years.”
One of the poems in the Water Over Rock was written 52 years ago when Mr Thomas was 18-years-old.
Mr Thomas said he was encouraged to take the leap into published work by his fellow writers in the group.
“When I submitted it to the publisher, I asked what do you think of the quality and you wouldn’t just publish it if it wasn’t good?” he said.
“He said no, no, no, we really liked the quality of the work.”
Aside from his poetry, Mr Thomas has taught English at Monbulk Secondary School for 28 years and has published a textbook on engaging students in drama.
The book launch on Friday 29 July will be at 1812 Theatre in Upper Ferntree Gully, where Mr Thomas practices reciting his poetry.
“They allow any local writer to come along and read their work on Friday, once a month and that’s been a real stimulus to me, that’s been really helpful,” he said.
“The feedback I’ve got from the audience there has really helped me put the book together.”
The book launch starts at 7.30pm and will feature an introduction from a former student of Mr Thomas, Deakin University Writing Literature and Culture assistant lecturer Hayley Elliot-Ryan.
Mr Thomas said the best way to improve as a poet and a writer is to find a group to critically assess your work and to keep honing the craft.
“It’s even more special when it’s you performing your own work,” he said.
“You can put every nuance into it that, it requires whereas somebody else’s performing your work, they don’t quite get it.”
You can read one of Mr Thomas’ poems below or view the book at www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/2485/Ron+Thomas+/+Water+Over+Rock
Bas-Relief
By Ron Thomas
Our parents chisel madly
From mirror images
At unformed rock – or not
School friends gouge and cut
Teachers rub little bits
To a nice polish
At Uni besotted by other poses and poseurs
We brandish our own hammers
To the pre-cuts
Craft elaborate curlicues of pretension
A Romantic ear
A Gothic stare
Our lovers try to tidy up the mess
Into their likeness
In old age we abandon work
Admire what’s complete
Acknowledge the huge cliff face
From which we partly peep
