Along Blueskin Road, poems by James Norcliffe, Canterbury University Press, 2005.
Norcliffe has published four collections of poetry prior to this title. He has also write novels for children. Most of these poems were written in Dunedin during the poet's tenure as Burns Fellow, at Otago University, NZ. Having seen a lot of Northcliffe's poetry before this, I can say these ones live up to his highest standards. I liked 'Snow to Low Levels' best, a superb little piece about life and death. Some others are either more circumspect or serpentine, but Norcliffe reacts well to perceived stimuli. 'Aids Billboard on Labaun' works well, showing both the injuries to humans and what humans do to nature. But sometimes you feel that Norcliffe is happier sitting at a desk than bumbling around amongst the rubble. Don't let that put you off, however. This and is qirky and diverse and many would give an eye and all their teeth for his undoubted poetic abilities.

Humming, by Rachel McAlpine. A Novel. Published by Hazard Press, Christchurch NZ. $29.95.
Time does not permit a full review of this book, so this is by way of a 'notice' only. McAlpine's previous publications are impressive and I am pleased to have published (or assisted) in the publication of her first two books of poetry, “Lament for Ariadne' and her interesting and demanding, 'Stay at the Dinner Party'. Rachel McAlpine has had a successful career as an academic in Wellington NZ and has helped influence a generation or two of upcoming writers. McAlpine's spiritual intensity is important but is not intrusive as far as I can tell, but should be taken notice of (try Chapter 11). McAlpine appears to be telling a good story and I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read it all, beginning to end, in the near future.

New York, a Haibun Journey. Mark Awodey. WPC-Minimal Press, Hampshire, USA.
Awodey is a recognised international poet living in USA. His perspectives embrace many concerns that most NZ poets should look at a bit more closely The series of broken sequences sometimes come into a unity that will sometimes surprise you. Such deftness! New York? “A black BMW / bleated / as they crossed 5th Avenue”. But there's more, when the whole mishmash of merged cultures bursts out into what I can only say, is a coherent whole. If you are lucky enough to get a copy of this book,, be sure to read it all.

The Time of the Giants. Poems by Anne Kennedy, Auckland University Press, Auckland NZ.
Anne Kennedy is an award-winning poet (poetry section of Montana Awards) but is no stranger to fiction, either. Her mastery of all styles of writing enables Kennedy to really branch and express her sensitivity. This book is about giants etc. The unsaid things are left unsaid and the minutiae is given full reign. If you were to go and hear Anne Kennedy read all this at a public reading, you would not only have to take your own lunch, but your sleeping bag as well. There's not much I can pull out of these to quote as here is such a tight coherence that it would be better for you to read the whole thing, and as demanding as that might be, I recommend that's just what you do. Do not miss this book, it's a good one.

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