From a family of passionate poets, Brendan King is carrying on a tradition started by his Pop. He loves all things poetry and has been involved in the creative writing programs run by Story Factory over the last few years.
Brendan started off by helping out in Story Factory workshops for year 7s at Chifley College Dunheved, eventually joining Story Factory’s Year of Poetry program and publishing his own collection of poetry in 2023.
His book, I Live to Fight, draws on his own experiences as a boxer, but also speaks to people from all walks of life.
“My book isn’t just about me and how I love boxing, it’s also about other perspectives,” Brendan says. “One poem in the collection is about the bushfires and the people who lived through them, so it’s also about how other people live to fight. It has a bit of everything, including poems about people who I’ve lost along the way, so it was challenging to write in that way, but at the same time it’s something I enjoy so it’s never too challenging.”
While Brendan has always had a passion for English and a love of poetry, Story Factory’s Year of Poetry program gave him the support and encouragement to learn and refine his poetry skills.
“That year-and-a-half with Story Factory, it changed me a lot. If you look at the poems I wrote before Story Factory to the ones I write now, you can easily see I’ve progressed a lot.”
Brendan, 18, has finished school but still regularly performs his poetry at different events throughout Sydney. He has some advice for other young people looking to get into poetry.
“My advice is to embrace authenticity and vulnerability in your writing. Your voice is a unique instrument that can resonate with others in ways you may not even realise. Don’t be afraid to explore your emotions, thoughts and experiences with honesty and depth. So, trust in your voice, trust in your words and trust in the power of poetry to connect with others on a profound level.”
‘22’ (an excerpt from I Live to Fight by Brendan King):
“In the realm of words, where verses thrive,/ I set out on a poetic drive./ My dad’s book of poetry, a treasure to behold,/ With 21 poems, and stories untold.// But I score for more, a poem complete,/ To pen the 22nd, a victory sweet./ With ink as my guide, and words as my might,/ I’ll craft a masterpiece, shining bright.// Each line a brushstroke, painting a scene,/ Emotions and thought, vivid and serene./ From love’s tender touch to nature’s embrace./ My words will dance, leaving a trace.// With every stanza, a story unfolds,/ A journey of heart, where dreams take hold./ I’ll capture the essence of life’s sweet refrain,/ In the depths of words, forever to remain.// So here’s to the 22nd, a poem so grand,/ A testament of my creative command./ But remember, my friend, it’s not about the score,/ It’s the love for poetry that we adore.”
