3 July 2010
Little Bit Long Time
Ali Cobby Eckermann
An encounter with Indigenous poet Ali Cobby Eckermann
Poet Ali Cobby Eckermann lives in the mid-north of South Australia, in the old general store of the little township of Koolunga. She is renovating the building and turning it into a centre for Indigenous writers. Mike Ladd visited Ali at Koolunga and interviewed her about her life and recorded her reading a selection of poems from her first book Little Bit Long Time. Ali's poetry powerfully charts her journey to reconnect with her Yankunytjatjara family.
Little Bit Long Time is published by Picaro Press.
www.picaropress.com
Sound Engineer: Andrea Hensing
Production: Mike Ladd
List of poems:
Kumana
First Time
Circles and Squares
Mum Said
Too Afraid to Cry
Messages
Love Dreaming
Cloud Storm
Intervention Payback
Ribbons
Comments (9)
-
Sharon Sills :
19 Jul 2010 5:09:14pm
This poet has an engaging "voice" and a wonderful use of simple language.
-
Enivea :
12 Jul 2010 9:53:22am
I was thrilled to hear this interview especially as earlier in the year I had given Ali's book of poetry to a friend visiting from overseas and had taken her to White Cliffs.
Poetica is a great program and it's wonderfully supportive of indigenous writers. Well done! -
Brenda Buninyong :
12 Jul 2010 12:32:20am
I felt like crying with the truthfulness of Ali's poetry. Should be mandatory reading for all those ignorant pollies.
-
Fleur :
09 Jul 2010 9:52:08pm
Best poetry I've heard for years. Especially loved the one Intervention Payback. I'm going out to buy several copies to give to all my friends. Way to go Ali, thanks Poetica.
-
Eileen Burder :
09 Jul 2010 3:00:23pm
Ali Cobby Eckermann's 'Little Bit Long Time' was a wonderful story. I was so impressed with the poems and story that I have actually delved into the ABC website to collect any details about her and her work.
Thank you Ali for sharing your talent and thank you Poetica for introducing her to me. -
Andy P, Cairns. :
03 Jul 2010 6:55:30pm
What a wonderfully evocative poet!
Andy, Cairns. -
Leith Maddock :
03 Jul 2010 5:40:39pm
I loved the interview with Ali Cobby Eckermann - what a great woman, and I loved the poetry & will look for the book
-
Virginia westwood :
03 Jul 2010 5:16:35pm
Loved listening to Ali Cobby Eckerman and her stories. Terribly disappointed the book is out of print. Would love to get a copy.
Moderator: Dear Virginia, the book is back in print from Picaro Press. Their web address is www.picaropress.com
-
Phe Rawnsley :
03 Jul 2010 3:45:39pm
Ali - thank you so much for sharing your stories. I've just come back from my fist trip to Alice Springs. Your words have deepened my experience of this special country and its Indigenous peoples. xx
