Jo Pascoe - Mayfield’s Poet in Residence

Jo Pascoe is a former director of the Shepparton Art Gallery. He learnt to write at the Australia Council, where he devised numerous art policies in the elevator on the way to lunch. These days, he is a renowned published poet. He is currently working on a new collection called Ides with Margaret Malloch. They swap a poem on the 15th of every month, and it has formed a fascinating traffic of words. It will be released in March 2026 at the Atheneum Library in Melbourne. You will find his latest publication in the loo at Mayfield Street. Enjoy!

Truffle Oil

it’s bastille day
croissants to the ready
baguette tucked into my belt
blue beret grimm on
i want to win

the cafe is packed
red white. and blue
i’m crazy for you

no panic
i order a hot chocolate
voice level
and produitto rocket and truffle butter roll
firm and precise
my whole happiness depends on this
table 4
and pass my credit card  over the machine
hover with care
whew

my revolutionary days are long gone
no dope in my pocket
no friends like that any more
playing the time left so slow
ready to die in peace
grumbling over trivial matters
TV full of horror
more war dead in a day than a year of shiny swords

never to get angry again
only if the hot chocolate is cold
i’m old.