Now and Then

Now and Then is Jo Van Kools first collection of poems. The first part Now concerns her search for a sense of belonging as in the poem A Breakfast Jam I reach for raspberry jam / and feel the past in my hand. This book delights disturbs and dismays with the turn of every page. From nature as in the poem Life of a Raindrop - and searched for words to recreate / that moment when translucence / held my life - to Jos voice with a rich sense of justice for those on the edge of our society the anawin who struggle to belong. In between we experience awe at the innocence of whales and yet return to the pain of being on the edge with Jos experience of her visit to Wybalenna on Flinders Island where she hears the birds haunting cry for those despairing for their homeland. In the second part Then we find a poet who uses words to speak with a broader cultural lens. Memories of a Migrant 1956 charts her exploration to find a place to call home. Jos poetry is sharply focused on recreating the actual journey of leaving her homeland to arrive in an alien country - Queensland in the late 1950s. The writing is provocative sensual sometimes uncomfortable but always honest. Overall Jos poetry is sensitive thoughtful and real. It leaves a memorable trail to ponder. - Colleen Keating. poet