Helen Lyne
writer, spoken word poet
Poems
Open mic events are lots of fun and I enjoy presenting my poems.
My favourite open mics in Australia include Bonfire@Desire at the Desire Bookshop in Manly and the Sydney Poetry Lounge in the Glebe Hotel. In France, I’ve presented poems at Au Chat Noir in 11th Arrondissement in Paris.
I was asked about how I prepare for such an event and a video was made for the website of the Society of Women Writers, NSW. You might enjoy this video.
My themes focus on the peculiar in politics (no lack of subject matter there!) and the droll and the dramatic in everyday life. Here are some examples.
My chapbooks include poems that I enjoy presenting at open mics and are available from Desire Books and from me at the venues where I perform.
Performance & Page Poems
King Charles’ mum may not have
studied English history.
The compensations of turning 80.
How does a dutiful mother-in-law cope with
a disappointing daughter-in-law?
Valid excuses for not doing Year 12 homework.
Mortgage misery.
These and other topics keep audiences listening.
© Helen Lyne, 2025
Performance Poems
Poets don’t get rich!
Old age is liberating.
Dreams and poetry are travel necessities.
Platypuses support women’s sport.
Reindeer unionise at Christmastime.
Cricket galvanises a tiger.
COVID masks are sex aids.
Parents are an embarrassment at their children’s weddings.
These and other absurdities distract audiences from their phones.
© Helen Lyne, 2023
At the open mic
Humans and others who grab hold of the mic
all have attitude,
whether they be a four-year-old,
a seventy-four-year-old,
a koala or a fly.
Each has a thing or two to say about life
and the audience had better listen up!
© Helen Lyne, 2022
Clever Kitty
My kitty likes my keyboard
and will pat upon the keys.
His discourse darts across the screen
with feline speed and ease.
And like a politician
he looks wide-eyed and intense,
he loves the repetition
and his words make little sense.
Kay Koala
My poem ‘Kay Koala’ was published on page 7 in The Tawny Frogmouth in August 2022.
A Writer’s Trials and Triumphs
I am delighted to see my poem featured on page 5 of the winter edition of Women’s Ink! Magazine, published by the Society of Women Writers NSW in July 2021.
A Young Couple’s Dream
My poem ‘A Young Couple’s Dream’ was published in Quadrant, January-February 2024.
Barry Fruit-Bat
My poem ‘Barry Fruit Bat’ was published in Spill the Beans Challenge Stories Poems, Book 6, 2024.