This collection weaves together 70 evocative poems, some reimagined from Simon’s earlier works, alongside fresh and powerful pieces.
Among these is the bold 4,000-word titular prose poem—a deeply personal exploration of his journey that delves into his migration, his battle with Stage 4 cancer, and the societal challenges he’s faced as a pioneering voice in Australian literature.
In Swimming in Words, Simon doesn’t merely recount life events; he uses poetry to dissect the complexities of the human condition, asking urgent questions about identity, family, and the shifting tides of love and illness
Simon's poetry doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. In his poem Repent Your Sins, for example, Simon reflects on personal trauma with unflinching honesty:
“Abuse
A forced migration
A father removed from biology
A seismic D-minus in loving
A repertoire of foreign liaisons
A finicky fifth language to learn”
Simon's collection is a masterclass in navigating the tension between existential aloneness and our collective quest for meaning.
Readers are invited on a visceral journey across diverse landscapes—from the dramatic beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the Adelaide Hills to the vibrant streets of Santiago, Athens, and the Greek Islands. Each poem pulses with intensity, drawing the reader into the deep emotional currents of Simon’s life and loves, as he bravely reveals the raw intimacies of his world.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Simon first emerged in the Australian arts scene in the 1980s, when his work, appearing in literary journals and on stage, challenged conservative norms and ushered in a wave of diverse voices.
Supported by literary heavyweights like Dame Leonie Kramer and poet Noel Rowe, Simon has never shied away from pushing boundaries in both his poetry and dramatic works.
Beyond poetry, Simon’s talent stretches across short stories, plays, and screenplays. His 2021 production of A House On An Island In The Aegean at Melbourne’s iconic La Mama Theatre further cemented his status as a formidable force in Australian drama.
Swimming in Words offers readers a broad spectrum of Simon’s literary evolution.
The book is now available in both hardcover ($34.95) and paperback ($19.95) and can be found at major online retailers and local bookshops. To learn more contact Stirling Publishing at stirlingpublishingaustralia@gmail.com.
