Cold Snack. Poems by Janet Charman. Auckland University Press, Auckland, New Zealand, $25.
Janet Charman has so far had a rich and varied career as a teacher of writing, radio copywriter, involved with television and now teaching at a secondary school. Making poetry out of ordinariness is certainly Charman's forte. Intensely auto-biographical, the poems tell, in the first section, details of Charman's return to the workforce in the form of school teaching. Very astute observations but without any great uniqueness of style. These will nevertheless appeal to the great majority of people. I liked 'test test test one two' in the first section best. It's about driving to Training College and ends “the level crossing / the barrier arm / the train”. Subjecting oneself as a teacher at the age of 47 to the young and often brainless is a somewhat daunting business. Janet Charman has an exquisitely inquiring mind not necessarily seeking answers but determined to tell it as it is. There are some poetic influences here (R A K Mason and James K Baxter in 'fish and chips') but the sheer power of her message overcomes those. She has been published in many journals and anthologies in Australasia. This is her fifth collection, and welcome, it surely is. In 'televisioner', the media is presented as seen by Charman, more remotely in style, this time. The vagaries and stupidities of officialdom revealed in its burlesque absurdity. Read about the Trades Hall bombing and laugh at the farce. If you need jerking back into reality, read 'iv' of 'televisioner': “At that time I knew / worked for Inland Revenue / and told me she had recommended Bird Rescue / be denied charitable status because biblically speaking / - which was the legal precedent / only species with souls / can enjoy tax concessions”. Don't forget the last section of this book, “Cold Snack'. Very revealing and universal.

Airport, poems by Kevin Ireland. Hazard Press, Box 2151, Christchurch, New Zealand.
This is Kevin Ireland's sixteenth book of poems. That's along with five books if fiction and five of non-fiction to his credit, too. An impressive body of work it is, indeed. He has won many awards and allocades. The poems are mainly about his travels and life in general. Ireland's style is very ordinary but poets often work themes to death, and there's nothing wrong with that so long as we're learning something new. Ireland's work needs tension and sometimes he achieves this. A shopping list of events not enough to achieve striking poetry. But that there is no real sense of struggle in these poems does not mean that they are not worthwhile. I think 'Lament for a lost shopper' sums it all up: “It's more of an absence of aims and drive / and ideals - a kind of deplorable weakness”. Try this book for size; it will be worth your while.

Geography for the Lost. Poems by Kapka Kassabova. Auckland University Press, Auckland, New Zealand. $25.
Kapka Kassabova was born in Bulgaria in 1973. A linguist, she studied creative writing, eventually, under Bill Manhire at Victoria University, Wellington, NZ. She is currently living in Scotland. Always a writer, in whatever language (English is her fourth language), English is the one that she stuck to, to express herself. This is her fourth collection of poems and she has also written two novels and has also done some journalism, too. This award-winning poet presents a credible book here, and it is nicely presented, too. As for telling me anything new, who can define new? Some of the poems are intensely personal, like 'The Travel Guide to the Country of your Birth”, contains no memories for most of us. A poet has to say what he or she wants to say even if it turns out to look a bit like remote writing, like 'Mister Hu'. However, there are many lessons to be learned by those reading Kassabova's writing - if you buy this book, you should study it closely. I recommend this book to serious writers.

The Black River. Poems by C.K. Stead, Auckland University Press, Auckland, New Zealand.
Carl Stead needs no introduction. His works have already said it all. A real veteran of style, Stead presents a masterly hand. Older now, he expresses the darker side of aging, recalling his parentage. To have this poise, and means of expression, is to be received with gratitude. In 'History', he ends: “when war comes / so does greatness”. Stead has a wonderful understanding of history. Glory in it, while you can, with this book. The dilemma of Ezra Pound's involvement in fascist Italy permeates many of these poems. It is impossible to go in deeply to these poems here, but I suggest you buy this book, even if you buy no other - essential for your learning processes and with tons of enjoyment in it anyway.

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