Conversations with a Moa Hunter. Poems by Rangi Faith. Steele Roberts, Wellington, 2005.
This is Rangi Faith's third book of poems. The previous two, “Rivers Without Eels” and “Unfinished Crossword” seemed to make quite a mark on the rather overcrowded poetry market in New Zealand and were lauded for the cultural diversity in subject matter; Maori-European history being sensitively and accurately expressed. Faith is a master of juxtaposition and boldness of subject. This latest book is no exception to the fine qualities of the previous two. He writes with authority on Maori matters in a way that I feel that he cannot be criticised in a credible way. His opening poem, 'New Zealand Poets Fly-fishing Calendar' is the funniest thing out as it concludes with Manhire (Bill who?): “…river-wise / going in opposite directions”. An acknowledgements page would have been nice, but readers can be assured that many of these poems have appeared in magazines in NZ for all to enjoy - including “Conversations with a Moahunter” (Southern ocean Review), which ends: “…& beside me a moa hunter / fresh from the hunt, panting / How did it go? I asked / just one, he said / just one”. Even Hone Tuwhare gets a mention in this book. Seek and ye shall find. This is the most entertaining book I've read in ages. Leaves most deadly serious poets for dead, and doesn't miss the cutting edge! Try it, you'll see.
Fast Talker. Poems by David Eggleton. Auckland University Press. March 2006.
The photo of David Eggleton accompanying this review copy makes him look a bit grumpy but believe me, this urbane man is not. Eggleton is a master of the great oratorical presentation. His words thunder at us. The vowels rattle, the consonants clatter but in all of this, you sense some meaning and pungency. You are grateful for that. Eggleton strives dutifully to give us a bit of an earful as to what he's about. An earnest contributor to New Zealand's cultural affairs, he can be regarded, and rightly so, a very good multi-media performance artist. A worthy successor to Alan Brunton perhaps? Eggleton has published over 20 books of his work. It's hard to pick out a particular poem I like here, because every poetic utterance is attached to some physical piece of the scenery, or something else. The brain waves are seldom seen to freely elevate us. I mean, in 'Sea Change at Traffic Lights', “Sudden strumpet thunder / strolling the isthmus” Sudden? Strolling? It doesn't work for me. Much of Eggleton's poetry suffers from such word mangling. Then, in 'Above a South Island Sheep Station', “Bumpy hills soak up sun”. Give us a break, David! But you could do worse than buy this book. Who else is this enthusiastic?
The Devil in my Shoes. Poems by Phil Kawana. Auckland University Press. $21.99. 2005.
Kawana is a performance poet whose previous books are recent. 1996 saw publication of his book of short fiction, 'Dead Jazz Guys', and an unusual mix of poetry and short fiction, 'Attack of the Shark People' was published in 1999. He has also written for theatre (we need them!). Kawana is a well known proponent, from his tours throughout New Zealand, of Maori poetry and culture. Many of these poems, to my mind, are quite tentative but there is a very welcome sincerity here. I liked 'Down on the Riverbank' best: “down on the riverbank / see my dear / we are close now”. Unpretentious and enjoyable. Just enjoy it, it's all very elevating.
Cupid on a Friday Night. Clerestory Press for the school of young writers, Christchurch. NZ. $29.95. 2006.
This is the latest in a program called 'Re-Draft', a collection of teenage writing in New Zealand. I wonder where it is all going, but there's lots of enthusiasm here. Aimed at professionalism in writing, this program nurtures young writers. Such a valuable resource and aim, we will all benefit from this. 'Automated Response' by Jan-Yves Ruzjcka is a revelation and a beautiful expression of the madness of modern technology. Thankfully we have young people who will steadfastly record, and enlighten future generations. I wish this book was more widely available.
Ages of Chaos and Fury. Selected poems, Oswald LeWinter. USA.
This is LeWinter's first collection of his poems in 40 years. ; a collection of his more important work over that period. Published by Ravenna Press in USA, it is not available here, but try Amazon. A lot of this work is pretty cerebral but, in so many ways, a lot deeper than most things we read locally. If not 'popular' stuff at least it is not trite, overdone or underdone. At 136 pages, it may be going to be an important part of the world's culture - we hope. See if you can get it.
Catalyst, Volume 4, NZ magazine of good writing and the visual arts, Christchurch, NZ.
World Words. An Anthology of International Writers in New Zealand. Writers International (NZ) in association with HeadworX. Wellington, NZ.
Some well known names here and the editorial selection seems to have been pretty astute. The magazine is branching out into CD's, and that is welcome. Ron Riddell is the magazine's feature poet, here. He is director of the Wellington Poetry Festival. A worthy event, indeed. Doc Drumheller edits this very interesting magazine. It is limited to 250 copies an issue. See if you can subscribe. Try www.catalyst.blogspot.com
This book is a bit of an enigma. Well edited, it seems to miss a rigor that would launch it into the international arena. But certainly the content is entertaining. I am always wary of an 'eclectic mix' and here we have another one of them. One cannot be too cynical perhaps. A lot of good people put a lot of good work into books like this. We should be grateful. Plenty of good stuff here to read. I hope this book is widely available.
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