My brand new poem about the somewhat eccentric things my now departed 83 year old friend would say. The poem also makes mention of my much too handsome colorectal surgeon. Read on, Macduff!

ali whitelock is a Scottish poet living out west in NSW in an old church with her French, low-carb, chain smoking husband. She’s published three collections of poetry (Wakefield Press) & her work has appeared in journals around the world. She’s also published a memoir about growing up in Scotland in the weird & brutal kingdom we call home, which was launched to critical acclaim at Sydney Writers Festival & also in the UK. She likes cats, but also dogs – & while she’s always gravitated towards red wine, lately it’s been white. Go figure. More here (about the writing, not the wine) www.aliwhitelock.com

‘Whitelock’s gifts to poetry are many. These include showing how poetry doesn’t have to be written for a minority in order to be first-rate.’ The Saturday Paper

‘Blurt-your-beer funny and rip-your-gut raw.’ David Castle, ABC Radio/TV presenter & author

‘This is brilliant. Funny, heartbreaking and a bit wonky. Now my internal monologue sounds like an Ali Whitelock poem (except not as good).’ Graeme Macrae Burnet, His Bloody Project

‘Whitelock’s work stands at the summit of the most intimate, original and vital of contemporary poetry in the English language.’ Dr Brentley Frazer, Riding Sharks

‘I didn’t even want to review Whitelock. I just wanted to turn back to the first page and start reading again.’ Simon Sweetman, Off the Tracks

‘For anyone who ever made up their mind that poetry is boring or pointless, there is a sure antidote and it is Ali Whitelock.’ Edward O’Dwyer, Bad News, Good News, Bad News.

‘Remarkably life affirming.’ Sydney morning Herald

‘A hilarious, no-misery memoir.’ The Scotsman

Ali Whitelock & Magi Gibson are two opinionated Scottish poets. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for reading!

Ali’s books (available on all online platforms and bookstores):

-a brief letter to the sea about a couple of things (poetry)

- the lactic acid in the calves of your despair (poetry)

-and my heart crumples like a coke can (poetry)

-poking seaweed with a stick and running away from the smell’ (memoir)