I was born in Cheshire, England, and came out to Australia as an eight year old child. I went to Africa as a backpacker in 1970, and learnt to write poetry and songs whilst working in Portuguese Mozambique. A workmate thought that to teach me to write and speak in the local dialect of English would be a quick way to learn the diffficult rhythm, phrasing, and intonation of Portuguese. It was.

My poetry was harshly criticised for being in a dialect when I returned to Australia in 1971. So much so, that I gave up writing poetry altogether till I attended a 'Poetry for the Unemployed" course at Plympton Community Centre in 1983. The course included a visit to Friendly Street poetry venue, and I have been a regular attendee there ever since.

In the 1990's, I also began writing short stories. I am currently writing my first Sci-fi novel. I have been a member of SCALA since 1991, and I will be launching my second CD of my own songs in early April 2006. Read more of Garth's poems on this page at Friendly St Poets.

Garth has recently released a new CD of some of his songs: Click here for a review of the CD (PDF file).

Garth Dutton "Long Weekend 2" CD 2006 "For further details, contact Garth at:

The wind is in the pines,
and sings a soft sad song,
for it seems it won't be long
before all forests will be gone.

NICOLA'S DRAGON

She painted a dragon
on a sheet of paper
with great twists and swirls
of red amongst brown.
Two splodges of green
for eyes...
But she said not to worry
or be afraid,
the dragon's not real,
only painted.

Garth Dutton