Rochford Press is pleased to invite you to the launch of The End of the Line poems by Rae Desmond Jones. It is the last book written and compiled by this poet, activist and former Mayor of Ashfield.

WHEN: Sunday 24 February 2019 at 1.30pm

WHERE: At the Exodus Foundation – the Burns Philp Hall, 180 LIVERPOOL ROAD, ASHFIELD

‘The End of the Line’ is an animated collection, bristling with the varied perspectives, moods, and colours of Jones’ consciousness and ‘voice’. Jones was an impressive raconteur and his distinctive physical voice echoes through the pages. The poems shift easily from the social/political agora to the deeply personal, to contemplative, spiritual/cosmic dimensions. He investigates individual and terrestrial mortalities, and concepts of being. He can be playful, cheeky, bawdy, satiric, savage and biting – as well as reflective, passionate, lyrical and grave. Shadowy images inhabit the book’s atmosphere at times, but in the final poems there is a sense of achievement – of abundance and joy: ‘Harvest the glow’. This is a  vivid book. In ‘To prepare a course of poetry’ Rae advises – ‘ Porridge should be avoided’. – Joanne Burns

Rae Jones was one of the great characters of the Inner West. His commitment to safeguarding the built environment led him from being an activist to becoming Mayor of Ashfield Council. Rae’s poetry reflects the eclectic and progressive nature of the community where he lived, as well as his passion for politics. It canvasses a range of topics including family, friendships, history and the state of the world. – Anthony Albanese

Link to the Facebook invite https://www.facebook.com/events/242278270027993/

Launches have also been confirmed in Perth and Melbourne – details to follow.

If you can’t make it to the launch copies of The End of Line are now available to purchase through the Rochford Press Bookshop – https://rochfordpress.com/rochford-press-bookshop/the-end-of-the-line-by-rae-desmond-jones/