Psalms of Exile and Return. Poems by Keith Hill. Attar Books, $29.95. Auckland NZ.
This is Keith Hill's first poetry collection. He is an award-winning novelist and filmmaker. The is the first in the publisher's series exploring ideas and traditions that have shaped contemporary spirituality. Hill is influenced by the philosophy of G.I. Gurdjieff and 'Fourth Way' exponent, Abdullah Dougan. In his afterword Hill relates his poems to the traditions of Kabbalah, Sufism and mystic Christianity. Further information is at www.attarbooks.com At first glance this book would appear to be a book of psalms and indeed, Hill did return to the ancient Jewish poets as a literary model. More specifically though, his influence is St. John of the Cross. If this sounds complicated, it is, but don't let that put you off. The early psalms are not sect-driven and, according to Hill, are vital to readers from all religious backgrounds today. His psalms are more of a 'secular' response to those ancient ones and as such, in my opinion, make good, interesting reading. But see for yourself; a book well worth getting.

Classic New Zealand Poets in Performance. AUP. Edited by Jack Ross and Jan Kemp. $45.00. 146pp.
This book has arisen out of the Sound Archive compiled by Jan Kemp, Alan Smythe and Dr Jonathan Lamb, with the help of many others, and now represents some 171 poets throughout New Zealand, ranging over many decades. From James K. Baxter and including the voices of Fleur Adcock, Janet Frame ranging through to 'moderns' such as Brian Turner, it is a fascinating and valuable resource of the written word, spoken. In this book, as a celebration of that, there is a careful selection made of those who were best at reading their work, and who enjoyed it the most. Each with a generous selection; some 27 poets represented. The 'keynote' poems are selected from each poet - for instance, Hone Tuwhare has 'Rain' 'No Ordinary Sun' and 'cummings' in here although literally dozens of his poems are just as good! It is easy to see that this book will become a well respected text for teaching, in years to come. However, just as a book to have, and enjoy for all the good work in it, it is fine, and worthwhile. You need to add this book to your collection.

The Leema Conspiracy. Will Fraser, Australia. Picaro Press, NSW, Australia. This is Will Fraser's second books of poems. A modest 16 pages, this is about Mr Leema's Llamas - talking Llamas? Yes, and much more! Eve to faxing Mr Leema (in 'Electronic Omen') to tell him to 'get stuffed'. Or graffiti on his car: “Llama Lover”! And being fined by the Shire Clerk for… keeping a Llama in his house! The things that can be done with a Llama, and what a Llama will do, are endless, it seems. I am happy to have this little book; proof that the 'small press' activity just about everywhere is strong and vibrant, still. The book is credited in creating a ruckus in Peru where Llamas are now demanding more recognition, pay, working conditions and superannuation etc. Fraser it seems was persuaded to become the Llamas spokesman! Then of course came the hangers-on, the committees, meetings, the…. Revolution!! Be entertained by a good wordsmith; buy this book, if you can get it!

Looking for the Uncertain Past. Poems by Daniel Thomas Moran. Poetry Salzburg, Salzburg. University of Salzburg, Austria. Moran's work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times. He has read widely at libraries, schools and universities in New York and has also read in Austria, Ireland and Italy. He is a Doctor of Dentistry practising on Shelter Island, New York. The subjects of his poems concern everyday things; family, travel and memories. The poem 'To my Young Son' is sensitive, understanding and caring, and above all, modest. And relatively unsentimental. These poems are enjoyable because none of them are at all 'dry' and uninteresting. They're carefully crafted, too, with beginnings middles and endings, all thoroughly accessible. I liked 'A Former Son of the Beach'. Moran is not frightened to laugh at himself and this is tremendous, lucid, solid stuff. A wide range of subjects and concerns. I hope this book is readily available to all who would like it.

Dead Reckoning. Poems by Michael Jackson. Auckland University Press. New Zealand. $21.99.
Michael Jackson is one of our most distinguished poets, in New Zealand. He has received many awards and currently is in receipt of an Honorary DLitt from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. He has an international reputation as an anthropologist. With 5 books of poems and many others, including fiction, he is one of NZ's more accomplished writers. His poems cover a large range, from the personal to the general, political to the speculative and each is carefully crafted - not a word out of place. Whereas here we might expect a firm cerebral tone in the work, some, like 'Araucaria' are almost quite risqué. Worry about a sense of place is evident in 'No Circulars'. This book deserves much more attention than I can give it here, but I can recommend it as a very satisfying read.

Takahe 57. Autumn Winter 2006. Christchurch, New Zealand.
A great mix of stories, poems and art, with a particularly strong reviews section, which is very much appreciated. The art in midsection is particularly interesting; nice to see a literary magazine devoting so many pages to the visual arts. Takahe's attention to short story writing is well received and generally, the stories are great entertainment. See advert for Takahe on p.13.

Tailfeather.
This issue marks the 10th anniversary of Southern Ocean Review. It is probably the longest running on-line and print quarterly literary and arts magazine in the world by now. There are 38 issues in print at this stage, each a limited edition of 50 copies. The on-line version has attracted over 100,000 hits now. We are grateful to the many who have helped and encouraged us to keep going over the years, particularly the Café Blue group of on-line writers; many of whom contributed work to earlier issues. We plan to keep going for a while, so keep up the contributions and subscriptions.

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