Pick up the landline handset and dial a number or call 1800-POETRY to hear a poem across August!

Harnessing the magic of the Wonderfoon (made in the Netherlands), each number on the rotary phone unlocks a unique poem read by the poet. Phone-a-Poem riffs on John Giorno’s iconic 1969 artwork, ‘Dial-a-Poem’, featuring work by contemporary Australian poets.

This Poetry Month, listen in to 10 poems previously featured on ABC Radio National Line Break — the weekly program where we partner with the national broadcaster to bring you poetry from contemporary Australian poets across the continent.

Find the physical handsets at select Dymocks stores or dial 1800-POETRY and follow the prompts to hear the poems.

The Poems

Press 1 to hear ‘Gathering' by Barrina South, from Makarra

Press 2 to hear ‘In Real Life' by Ender Baskan, from Two Hundred Million Musketeers

Press 3 to hear ‘Keeping the Minotaur' by Debbie Lim, from Bathypelagia

Press 4 to hear ‘Black-throated Finch' by Jarad Bruinstroop, from Reliefs

Press 5 to hear ‘Change Agent' by Evelyn Araluen, from The Rot

Press 6 to hear ‘Life in the Belly of the Monster' by Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes, from Trials of Hope / የተስፋ ፈተና

Press 7 to hear ‘Between Aprils' by Dzenana Vucic, from after war

Press 8 to hear ‘Clarity' by John Kinsella, from Ghost of Myself

Press 9 to hear ‘If I go' by Lulu Houdini, from ma-li

Press 0 to hear ‘Sun-shower' by Theodore Ell, from Beginning in Sight