It's Jackie Hosking...
pass it on!

Hello, Jackie. Welcome to the Poetry Zone. Tell us, when did you start writing?

Just now - once I'd understood the question.

Why do you write poetry?

Because I can. If I could tap dance I'd probably do that.

Do you write anything other than poetry?

I do but I like to keep it short. I like words, but I like white space too.

Do you write for adults?

Yes I do. I write flash fiction - which is really, really short stories with a twist - a bit like a joke.

How long does it take to write a poem?

Well that depends on a couple of things - how long the poem is and/or how good the poem is. A very long bad poem might take an hour. A very short good poem might also take an hour but a very long good poem might take forever but I'll have to get back to you on that because I haven't written one yet.

What is the most unusual event that has inspired you to write a poem?

I have children and children get worms and pass them on to their mothers - yes mothers get worms too which inspired me to write...

The Worm Turned

I wouldn't like birds
If I were a worm
I wouldn't like magpies
Or wrens

I'd have to be firm
If I were a worm
And tell them
We'd never be friends

I wouldn't like cats
If I were a bird
I wouldn't like Siamese
Or Blue

I'd soon spread the word
If I were a bird
That a friendship
Just never would do

I wouldn't like dogs
If I were a cat
I wouldn't like Shepherds
Or mutts

And that would be that
If I were a cat
No maybes, no ifs,
And no buts.

I wouldn't like worms
If I were a dog
I know cause I
Had them last week

I leapt like a frog
As I jiggled and jogged
And I wiggled and squirmed
Cheek to cheek

How do you write your poems?

Usually a first line starts to tap at me, often when I'm walking. One morning, very early, I was walking and as I turned to walk up the hill I saw the hugest, brightest full moon that I'd ever seen and a first line started to tap....There's a moon on my walk at the top of the hill ... and I kept repeating it over and over and very soon the second line emerged...And it's perfectly round and it's perfectly still ... which of course it was. The more I stared at the moon the more I saw. I noticed that a circle of cloud was surrounding the moon...And it holds back the clouds with its circle of light and it's perfectly round and it's perfectly bright...On I walked repeating the lines over and over while also thinking what else can I say about the moon. It's full, that's true but how full - as full as what? As full as a sock, as full as a puddle - I know, as full as a hug but it also looks cold, as cold as what, as cold as ice? No everybody says 'as cold as ice' (that's a cliche) I wanted something different - I know, as cool as a stare. Once I'd agreed to that line the rest just tumbled out and below is the whole thing which I wrote in my head very early one morning.

The Moon

There's a moon
On my walk
At the top of the hill
And it's perfectly round
And it's perfectly still

And it holds
Back the clouds
With its circle of light
And it's perfectly round
And it's perfectly bright

It's as full
As a hug
And as cool
As a stare
And it's perfectly round
Even when it's not there

Are you writing anything at the moment?

I am and as luck would have it - you're reading it!

Do you visit schools?

I do. I really enjoy sharing my poetry along with workshopping poems written by the students.

What was your most memorable day?

I have two -
The day my dad said, "We are going to live in Australia."
And the day my sister threw up her arms and said, "You idiot - you're a writer!"

What was your worst moment?

The moment just before my sister threw up her arms and said... - well you know what she said.

What are your favourite poets and poems?

My most favourite poems are those written by A.A. Milne. When I was little my dad used to read them to me. One christmas, years later, as my dad and I opened our presents we were suprised to discover that we had given each other the exact same thing - a brand new copy of A.A. Milne's When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. It was quite a special moment.

Of all the poems you've written, which is your favourite?

My favourite poem is one that I wrote about my cat, Gizzy. She was very old (21 years) when I wrote it and I remember thinking one day that I'd better write a poem about her before she dies. It was a bit like taking a photograph. She was sitting in a patch of sun trying to get warm and I sat at my computer and stared at her. I can't show you the whole poem because the publisher who bought it has the right to publish it first but the first line - the one that tapped at me goes like this... My cat is as frail as an autumn leaf but her purr is as loud as the seas... and yes, she died. So I'm very glad I wrote that poem.

Have you any poems coming out in the near future?

Yes I do. Three poems are to be published in an anthology called Celebrate! by Triple D Books www.tripledbooks.com.au

Five poems (including the one about my cat) are to be published by The School Magazine

Five poems are to be published by Harcourt Education

And two stories in verse are to published by a brand new Australian magazine for children called Tibbidy Magazine www.tibbidy.com.au

Did you write poems at school?

I wrote one poem at school when I was seventeen years old. I thought it was brilliant but you can judge for yourself...

Consequence

A Christmas tree stood on the beach
Within my grasp but out of reach
And so I asked a maiden fair
If she could see it standing there
Her loud reply I could not hear
Although she said it very clear
And so I watched her disappear...

....It's okay - but I won't go on. This is what I would consider to be a long bad poem!

Did you enjoy school?

Enjoy is not quite the word I'd use. I think I tolerated school. I was pleased to leave school however I've never stopped learning. I think that it is important to never stop learning no matter where you are.

Have you any pets?

Sob - not any more...

How do you spend your spare time?

I'm a mum - there's no such thing as spare time. What do I do with my stolen time? I read and read and read.

What did you do before becoming a poet?

I wrote poetry. Just really, really badly.

Have you any plans for the future?

I plan to have a future - but even that's not guaranteed. Best to enjoy today and see what happens.

Do you have a web page?

I do - www.jackiehosking.com There you can find out a little more about me and also about my newsletter PASS IT ON - for anyone involved with or interested in the Children's Writing Industry.

What could schools do to improve the way poetry is taught?

Let the students do the teaching.

What advice would you give to young poets?

Be brave. Be yourself.

Thank you, Jackie.

I just like to say thank you too, to everyone for wanting to know more about me. If you have any more questions you'd like to ask then I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at

jackiehosking@aapt.net.au

Happy Poeting!

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