Mudgee poet Kevin Pye will launch his latest book of verse, at the Club Mudgee Auditorium on Saturday, August 31.
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Lawson Country is a compilation of original tributes, lyrics and humour by Mr Pye.
Mr Pye is well known for his tributes to the people, places and history of the Mudgee region, and few major events pass without a poetic tribute.
However, in Lawson Country, Mr Pye delves into more personal territory than in previous works, including poems inspired by his cancer treatment.
The book is dedicated to the “doctors, nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists, oncologists and radiologists” as well as family and friends and includes a section included at the request of other cancer suffers.
The section shows Mr Pye’s managed to maintain his trademark humour through his experience from diagnosis through treatment and the months that followed, while reflecting the varying emotions of a cancer sufferer: Shock, anger, determination, reflection, optimism and gratitude to the medical staff and Western Care Lodge, where Mr Pye was the first patient of occupy the Mudgee Room.
Other sections of Lawson Country show the wide range of topics that inspire Mr Pye’s verse: There’s a tribute to Queensland’s flood victims, nostalgic pieces on former Mudgee business owners, reflections on the Australian character and playing cricket with the grandchildren.
Whimsical “bite-sized” observations, the poetic equivalent of a one-liner, are scattered throughout the book.
Lawson Country will be launched on August 31, at 7pm by Dr Tony Egan.
The launch will feature readings by Bruce McGregor, Bruce Roberts, Mark Young, Ted Morgan, Jenny Morgan, Louise Manwaring, Gora Mann and Glenn Stewart, and songs by Mick Fetch, Jess Holland and Des Kelly, who have set Mr Pye’s lyrics to music.
Admission will be by gold coin donation.
Lawson Country will be available at the launch for the special price of $16.
RSVP to kevin.pye@hotmail.com by August 24 or call 6372 0006.