Pam Makin (she/her)
LightNews LightNews
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Pam Makin (she/her)
@pamthepoet.bsky.social
84 followers 98 following 120 posts
Writer, poet, storyteller living and working on unceded Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide, South Australia.
Posts Replies Media Videos
pamthepoet.bsky.social
The road to Christmas is paved with good intentions. Or something like that.

#DecemberNotes
Pam (@pamthepoet)
So this is Christmas and what have you done… When I was a child, we had the most underwhelming advent calendars imaginable. Starting December 1st, each morning we would open a numbered cardboard wind...
substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:46 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Friends, writing, and a bookshop. That’s a good day.

#ChristmasNotes #DecemberDiary #Advent #AustralianChristmas
Pam (@pamthepoet)
There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long. ago… I love a bookshop. Especially a well-stocked secondhand bookshop. My favourite, Page & Turner, is on Level 2 o...
substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:02 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Day 5 of December. Day 2 of the test match. A good day for scrolling.

#ChristmasNotes #DecemberDiary #Advent #AustralianChristmas
Pam (@pamthepoet)
Those Christmas lights light up the street… Fringe launched this morning. I spent a generous portion of my day browsing its fifteen hundred-odd shows. This afternoon, Furious Fiction prompts dropped...
substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
The wind down of the school year and the wind up Christmas come together at the primary school presentation night. Usually…

#ChristmasNotes #DecemberDiary #Advent #AustralianChristmas
Pam (@pamthepoet)
He’s making a list and checking it twice… Tonight was the grandchildren’s primary school presentation night. Last year’s included entertainments showcasing the students’ talents and enthusiasm. This ...
substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:03 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
You can run but you can’t hide. Today’s note in the link.

#ChristmasNotes #DecemberDiary #Advent #AustralianChristmas
Pam (@pamthepoet)
Let's take the road before us and sing a chorus or two… Today we did our regular Wednesday - grocery shopping in the morning, collect the grandchildren from school in the afternoon, feed them and acc...
substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
You can try, but you cannot escape Christmas. Note about today, December 2, at the end of the link.

#ChristmasNotes #DecemberDiary #Advent #AustralianChristmas
Pam (@pamthepoet)
Bells are ringing, children singing… Unexpectedly, I received a Christmas card today. I don’t anticipate them. I don’t send them. I had an appointment in the city and travelled by train. Arriving in...
substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:58 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
I am testing the waters over at Substack. If you are there, let me know. Cheers
Pam (@pamthepoet)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… At my volunteer gig, there is a Christmas tree with red ribbons and battery-operated candles. A large, green-striped bow adorns one wall. The gift shop is...
substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:37 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
I am a staunch advocate for public transport. Reliable, accessible, preferably free, public transport. As such, I frequently find myself on the Adelaide Metro Gawler line trains. A recent change to their announcements though… oh boy. Not even headphones and a good podcast help.

#review
Adelaide Metro Rail Service Onboard Announcements - a review in 150 (polite) words Adelaide Metro recently changed their onboard recorded announcements, so now instead of a terse "Stand clear. Doors closing." before departure, we have "This train is about to depart. Please stand clear of the doors." Wordy, but nice. Additionally, we hear "Welcome aboard. The next stop is..." as the train gathers speed. On approach to the next stop, there is "Welcome to..." All very nice until you are on board this train for all twenty-four stops between Gawler Central and Adelaide. This means that I am welcomed a total of forty-eight times in a sixty-minute journey. On average, that is one welcome every seventy-five seconds. But "welcome" is only a word. I will feel much more welcome when the stylishly groomed, impossibly handsome, probably gay stewards are employed and begin handing out hot towels and complimentary canapes. "Thank you for choosing Adelaide Metro..." like a had so many other viable options. Adelaide Metro Rail Service Onboard Announcements - a review in 10 (less polite) words Just shut the fuck up and get me to Adelaide!
November 30, 2025 at 1:08 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
This is where I spend my Mondays. The Gallery currently occupies the front room, foyerish area of the local museum while a major redevelopment happens at its usual site.

#review
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Back to the Future was groundbreaking in its day. Now, forty years on, it is simply a joy. Add a live score played by the wonderful ASO and you have a great night out.

#review
November 17, 2025 at 1:46 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
I attended some of the sessions at this past weekend’s Weekend of Words, part of the OzAsia Festival in Adelaide. I love that these smaller writers festivals exist beyond the major ones. I will seek it out again next year.

#review
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
I am currently annoyed at folks who think they’re too good for an open mic crowd. I love an open mic. And I love the vast variety of talent that comes out to share. Spoke n Slurred is one I regularly attend. Come along if you’re in the area. If you’re not, find an open mic near you.

#review
November 6, 2025 at 7:38 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
The current Barossa Women’s Artist in Residence is Rae Howell. Look her up and see what she’s doing. You won’t be disappointed.

#review
November 3, 2025 at 1:41 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Adelaide is full of things I love. This is one of them. Monthly at The Jade

#review #promo
October 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
It was more than a week ago. But it is still worth posting about. Go see an old movie on a big screen. It’s delightful.

#review
October 21, 2025 at 2:50 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Today Adelaide, Tomorrow The World! is a new poetry competition from Ellipsis Poetry and Page & Turner. The theme is Metamorphosis, entries are free and open until the 23rd of January. For more information, use the QR code. Hit me up with any questions you might have.
.
#competition
October 20, 2025 at 2:43 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
As part of Nature Festival, Adelaide Botanic Gardens is currently harbouring this delightful hidden gem.

#review
October 6, 2025 at 12:53 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
The wonderful Australian String Quartet has turned 40. They spent Sunday celebrating in Adelaide. Here’s a review:

#review
September 29, 2025 at 4:54 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
New writers festivals seem to be popping up all over the calendar. This past weekend, there was one at the State Library facilitated by Flinders Uni. Here’s a short review.

#review
September 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Adelaide is a UNESCO City of Music. We have a world class orchestra in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and we are home to the Australian String Quartet. We have many other musical claims. What we don’t have is a purpose built concert hall. That doesn’t stop us!

#review
September 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Wild flight paints desire lines across the sky / where last night, blind, the billionaires’ rockets raved. / The rage, the curse, now blessed in the gentle drift of sunrise.

#PoetryMonth #RedRoomPoetry #30in30 #PoetryCompetition #DailyPoem #Day31
September 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
In that moment, there is something like pride, that isn’t pride, / love that isn’t love alone, surprise that is genuinely surprising, / There is no word for that feeling when they say, “you saved my life.”

#PoetryMonth #RedRoomPoetry #30in30 #PoetryCompetition #DailyPoem #Day30
August 30, 2025 at 1:57 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Words fail me. Please, just read it
August 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Prepare yourself for another day. Meditate. Medicate. / Check the progress of the apocalypse. Fortify. Call Mum. / Dress for success. Choose a playlist. Breathe.

#PoetryMonth #RedRoomPoetry #30in30 #PoetryCompetition #DailyPoem #Day29
August 29, 2025 at 3:46 AM
pamthepoet.bsky.social
Stoke the flames with remembrance / fan it by speaking honourably / fuel it with stories of your own

#PoetryMonth #RedRoomPoetry #30in30 #PoetryCompetition #DailyPoem #Day28
August 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM