Maurice Corlett: Prize-winning Booranga poet

Maurice Corlett, long-time Booranga member, supporter, and current Committee member, recently gained third place in the Peter Cowan Poetry Prize with his poem Baker Street. “I have been sending poems away other the last couple of years and this is the best result yet,” said Maurice of his recent success.

We congratulate Maurice, a very worthy recipient, as he is a dedicated poet and a great supporter of all Booranga events behind the scenes and as well as being very generous with sharing his work in performance opportunities.

Born and raised in England, Maurice has had an interest in writing for many years. He was a founding member of Wagga Wagga Writers Writers (the forerunner of Booranga Writer's Centre) nearly thirty years ago. After an absence of several years he has returned to the group. Maurice writes poetry and prose and has been published in Booranga Writer's annual publication fourW for the last four years. Apart from writing, which he loves, he also enjoy reading his work aloud at Booranga's public readings.

BAKER STREET

Graham and me powering

our way in an old white ute

through the Wimmera after

a hard day’s toil in the heat

when Baker Street came on

the radio and I was transported

twelve thousand mile

back to London.

London – an hour on a fast

train from Brighton – where

the world seemed to be and

me walking through it

down Baker Street.

A strong sense of longing

overtook me as I sat in the

passenger’s seat knowing

that I could not go back

with Lyn waiting for me

and Renee toddling around

in the weatherboard

house in Horsham.

But I was no angel and if

it was Friday we would head

for the pub and stay there for

hours until Lyn came down

with the pram and got me out.

Now when I hear Baker Street

it reminds me of the mistakes

that we made and how things

could have been better.

Maurice Corlett