ROGER HALL ENJOYS SOME FAVOURITE POEMS
I was sorry not to be able to attend the launch last week of the excellent anthology of poetry DEAR TO ME published as a fund-raiser for AMNESTY.
One hundred NZers were asked to submit their favourite poem together with comments as to why they liked it, and these comments are often illuminating and entertaining.
Some selections are predictable, most are not. And who would have thought that Helen Clarke and Geoffrey Palmer would choose the same poem.
Some people chose poems they wrote themselves: Murray Ball writes about a beloved stray cat “Horse is dead” ”, which I can forgive; and the Topp Twins write, in effect, about themselves in “Cows” , which I can’t.
Almost half of the poems are New Zealand poems, which shows what an impact our poetry has on us.
It's nicely presented, has a fine introduction by Bill Manhire (reliable as ever, introductions are damn hard to write),is a handy size and has a modest price.
A while ago on this site there was a great article on what books people keep in the car. This is a good contender for that role (or to be kept by the bed).
Miranda Harcourt refers to her choice as “My new favourite poem”. Yes indeed, favourites change regularly, so all hundred contributors could be asked again to make up another volume. Or, of course, ask a different 100 NZers. Whatever.
My hope is that this team produces another volume. Full marks all round.
RH
One hundred NZers were asked to submit their favourite poem together with comments as to why they liked it, and these comments are often illuminating and entertaining.
Some selections are predictable, most are not. And who would have thought that Helen Clarke and Geoffrey Palmer would choose the same poem.
Some people chose poems they wrote themselves: Murray Ball writes about a beloved stray cat “Horse is dead” ”, which I can forgive; and the Topp Twins write, in effect, about themselves in “Cows” , which I can’t.
Almost half of the poems are New Zealand poems, which shows what an impact our poetry has on us.
It's nicely presented, has a fine introduction by Bill Manhire (reliable as ever, introductions are damn hard to write),is a handy size and has a modest price.
A while ago on this site there was a great article on what books people keep in the car. This is a good contender for that role (or to be kept by the bed).
Miranda Harcourt refers to her choice as “My new favourite poem”. Yes indeed, favourites change regularly, so all hundred contributors could be asked again to make up another volume. Or, of course, ask a different 100 NZers. Whatever.
My hope is that this team produces another volume. Full marks all round.
RH
DEAR TO ME
100 New Zealanders Write About Their Favourite Poem
Random House $37
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