Poetic reflection on Port Macquarie’s ArtWalk 2026

DEAR News Of The Area,

 

ON the night of Friday, 5 June, I attended the Port Macquarie Art Trail with tens of thousands of other people.

I felt inspired to write the following poem about my experience.

 

How wonderful were people when they gave their time for free,

To gather all their family and set out at once to see

The Port Macquarie Art Trail celebrating its ten years,

Much wonder and amusement and great food and souvenirs.

 

And though it was a winter’s night, well rugged up keeping warm,

The throng did wander aimlessly to watch artists perform,

And on the streets the noise and sounds were wafting through the air,

The magic of the moment was delight for all to share.

 

From Hay Street palms well warmed with crochet sleeves of such fine art,

To those who stood amazed, where so much pleasure filled the heart,

And bright-eyed youngsters all about bedecked with lamps and toys,

The night was filled with music, and the laughter of those joys.

 

But Town Green was the focus, with its beating heart of night,

Performers dressed artistically, festooned with drops of light,

This promenade for one and all, set young eyes wide in awe,

So stunning was this spectacle, such colours, such grandeur.

 

Then everywhere was music, so much sound of happiness,

As people came together to enjoy the luminesce,

And worries of the world outside forgotten on this day,

Whilst watching all the children of the future as they play.

 

Yet silent was the Hastings with its ceaseless tidal flow,

A darkness that reflected all the rainbows of this show,

But when the evening came to end, the river now the queen,

Set eyes in wonderment from fireworks across this scene.

 

Rex Toomey,

Port Macquarie.