“For more than thirty years,” Michael Hulse writes, “Robert Gray has been one of the tiny number of wholly genuine poets whose every word I have wanted to read.” Two generations of Australian readers share that appreciation of Robert Gray, one of the major poets of our time, perhaps of all times. “I return to Robert’s work,” writes Judy Beveridge, “for sustenance, for instruction, and to be amazed.” As Robert Gray approaches eighty, and because we often forget to celebrate our elder artists, our poets especially, while they are still in a position to appreciate it, 5 Islands Press asked twenty-five poets, philosophers, film-makers, and novelists to choose one of Robert’s poems and write an essay about what it has said to them and why it matters. 

Come and help launch Bright Crockery Days: The Poetry of Robert Gray, and pay homage, in poetry and conversation, to the life and work of a great poet, while he is still among us. Featuring readings and brief remarks from Anna Funder, Peter Goldsworthy, Judith Beveridge, actor Rob Carlton, Lindsay Tuggle, and the book’s editor Mark Tredinnick. 

In the Dixson Room, at the State Library of New South Wales, 3pm, Saturday 28 September.

Register here