A Red Flame at Midnight

‘Red is the colour of the flame’s heart. Red is where the heat begins. It’s red you touch when you reach through the hotter, later hues for the origin of the flame. It is the point of ignition, that passion which feeds the fire of every true poet.’  Kristin Henry



‘Midnight is that moment when the night begins to call its darkness home and acquiesce to the inevitability of emerging light.’  Gary Smith


The name A Red Flame at Midnight is an amalgamation of titles taken from the first and last poems in a compilation of works by poetry students at Holmesglen TAFE. Students featured in the anthology are either newcomers to poetry or have cherished and written poetry for many years.  The anthology is a collective expression of their fire for words, cadence and imagery.  


The collection encompasses diverse topics ranging from the intensity of the Australian bushfires, the trumpeting arrival of spring in the Fitzroy Gardens, a magical moment in Madrid and love that inspires and haunts us to the intimacy of a moment: reading Chinese poetry on a bus, farewelling a favourite pet, a child’s fear of grass or hand‑washed laundry floating on a Sicilian breeze. Viewed through the eyes of these emerging poets, life is reduced to the essence of what it means to be human and is recreated drop by drop on the page.  Like a red flame, the poems burn with passion and hope, or like midnight, encapsulates moments of black despair, loneliness and loss. Whatever the theme, these poems speak to the soul.  Woven with beautiful description, wisdom and sparks of humour, A Red Flame at Midnight is a collection that delights the ear and moves the heart.


About the Authors:

Authors include; Gail Arkins, Marlene Chaitra, Anne Cook, Precilla Damain, Shannen Davies, Peta Edmonds, Rebecca Elias,  Adam Fairhirst, Kristin Henry, Carolyn Hirsh, Cam Huynh, Laurel Jackson, Liam Jordan, Norah Kaplan, Gia Kapsalis, Bob McGowan, Moraig Kisler, Meredith Langford, Peter Lucas, Carmelina Monea, Stephen Nichols, Tim Same, Gary Smith.