Great to have my poem Aura shortlisted for the 2026 Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing (Poetry). It’s a biennial award, alternating with the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art. I love it when regional councils work to support writing and arts; this prize has been running since the 90s and has had some wonderful winners over the years.
The 2026 Poetry section was judged by Bebe Oliver and Jen Webb, both fantastic poets. Other poets on the shortlist include Brenda Saunders, Pepita, Tallulah Grace, Dženana Vucic, Alicia Sometimes and more. Announcement of the winner isn’t until May, so here’s the opening from my shortlisted poem Aura…just to get you there.
Aura
I thought I’d give myself one last look. I’ve heard magpies
are more loyal than sons. If I circle around the back of the house
maybe they’ll still be there, walking the concrete path
to the clothes line, flapping over green ants.
They’ll miss you throwing scraps out the back door,
miss the names you gave them. Even their cousins from the coast
watch me when I pass, like they’ve heard about you
and they’re waiting for me to be as good.
In this town everyone looks up when an ambulance arrives,
tongues start moving, even with the siren silent and the lights off.
Word got to me. The years don’t mean anything anymore. I think you know
I’ve been listening. I’ll say it, now there’s no one to hear, you kept my secret,
Rico Craig 