One lifetime is not enough, for all my words – Koraly Dimitriadis

I’m the poet in residence at Cafe NOVA!

January 5, 2012 at 7:24 am (Creative commentary)

Just before the end of the year I received an email from Eliza Hull from the Australian Poetry stating that my application to be a cafe poet had been shortlisted! Of course I couldn’t share the news but my next job was to actually find a cafe on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy that was interested in having me as a poet in residence for 6 months. My pitch to Australian Poetry was that I wanted to be a cafe poet on Brunswick Street near Polyester Bookshop because they are the biggest sellers of Love and F**k Poems. In fact, I am a best seller in their store!

Koraly and her dentist

But after some initial thought it dawned on me that finding a cafe interested in having me stick my poems on the walls and toilet doors may prove difficult. Putting my erotic poetry aside, even my more subtler poetry is a raw and confronting. I was in a bit of a pickle, like going to the dentist…

After some help from Polyester shop staff, I tried out a few cafes, without much luck. One was interested but said they didn’t like the idea of having to give me a free coffee every time I came in to write. But I knew it wasn’t only about finding a cafe. I wanted to also find a manager that I clicked with. If I could choose any cafe it would have been Cafe Nova, but for some reason I tried three cafes before Nova. I think it’s because I felt like there was no WAY Cafe Nova would say yes because they are so trendy and everyone goes there and I write poems called ‘Love according to wogs’ and ‘How to get a f**k’.

Koraly and Jen's first meeting for 2012

After my third rejection I thought, stuff it, I’m going to try. When I met Jen, the manager, we instantly clicked. I told her about my writing and gave her my book and some articles I had written in the Victorian Writers Center magazine and the articles and posters from Beat magazine when I did my show with Ben John Smith at Polyester.

Jen said she’d have to speak to the owner, Nicole, who I haven’t met yet and get back to me. After she rang me to say ‘yes’ it was up to Australian Poetry to give their final ‘yes’. When they did Jen and I organised our first meeting, which took place today.

Jen and I spoke about ideas that we had for my residency. I printed up some cards (the size of business cards) which have my name and ‘cafe nova poet in residence’ on them and on the back I hand write poems to go on each table. There is also going to be a wall where I can put up my poems and I can change the poems whenever I like. I am also planning a poets mailbox where people can write me letters using poetry and I will respond with poetry and put the letters up on my wall. Jen and I talked about language, swearing etc and Jen said Nicole, the owner, would have to give the final okay. I completely understand, of course, as kids may come into the cafe. You can also buy both of my chap books at Cafe Nova, but the Love and F**k Poems book will be BEHIND the Poet is Born books so they are hidden.

Since it’s the start of the year, and i still don’t have my school timetable, I’m not sure exactly how often and on what days I’ll be going into the cafe. At the moment we’ve tentatively stuck to 11-12am on Wednesdays but I’ll be randomly popping in at other times too. So if you want to come in and talk poetry or come and say hi please do. It will probably be mid mornings or late at night as Cafe Nova is open till very late. Hope to see you there!