My surname is Greek, from a tiny island off the Turkish coast. Kastellorizo, Walls in the Sun is the third in my collection of family stories from small islands, pioneers who made Australia their home. My home is on a ridge close to the summit of the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Here lichen cloaks the trees and winters are still fierce. In summer, bushfires threatenour homes and deadly snakes patrol our gardens. This is richmaterial to create poetry from. I aspire to defend the natural environment and promote social justice through my writing. I have lived as a visual artist and wordsmith. My poetry has been published widely in international anthologies and journals. I am a Varuna Alumnus and have seven full collections under my name.

