. . . Poetry Notes

Spring 2015 Volume 6, Issue 3

ISSN 1179-7681 Quarterly Newsletter of PANZA

regularly asked Patricia to review poetry Inside this Issue Welcome for me. I admired her reviews because she focused specifically on the work at Hello and welcome to issue 23 of hand and the individual creative Welcome Poetry Notes, the newsletter of PANZA, impulses that construct a poet’s work. 1 the newly formed Poetry Archive of She was both reliable and truthful in her An Interview with New Zealand Aotearoa. reviewing. I retired from editing JAAM Patricia Prime Poetry Notes will be published quarterly in 2005 (Helen Rickerby and Clare and will include information about Needham continued the magazine) and JAAM history goings on at the Archive, articles on the review section closed down but 5 historical New Zealand poets of interest, Patricia and I are now regular National Poetry Day poem occasional poems by invited poets and a contributors to Tony Chad’s magazine by Francis Cloke record of recently received donations to Valley Micropress. 6 the Archive. Recognising the impressive listings of Poetry by MaryJane Articles and poems are copyright in the Patricia Prime’s publications both in Thomson names of the individual authors. 7 New Zealand and overseas in the last 20 The newsletter will be available for free years, I sought her out for an interview Further comment on download from the Poetry Archive’s Geoffrey Pollett to record her significant contribution to 8 website: New Zealand and world literature. It is Further comment on often the case that, like a sportsperson John O’Connor http://poetryarchivenz.wordpress.com making an impact overseas, we are blind to their achievements back home. Paekakariki Arts Walk It’s important to put on record here 9 An Interview with Patricia’s diverse writing life, where she C K Stead appointed has specialised in some niche forms NZ Poet Laureate Patricia Prime such as Japanese tanka prose and 5-line

tanka poetry. New publications by Here are some biographical details for PANZA members Wellington writer, researcher and Patricia: PANZA archivist Mark Pirie interviews Donate to PANZA through the New Zealand poet and editor, PayPal Patricia Prime was born in 1939 and 11 Patricia Prime. was educated in England at La

Recently received Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ Patricia Prime is one of the hard- School where she obtained two donations workers in New Zealand literary circles. A-levels and a diploma in shorthand

About the Poetry Archive I first came in contact with her through and typing. She then worked as a the journals Spin, edited by secretary for Newnes, a publishing p n w donnelly, and Micropress NZ, company in London. In New Zealand edited by Kate O’Neill, in the mid- she obtained her degree in English PANZA 1990s. Around that time, I had started extramurally from Massey University, 1 Woburn Road editing the journal JAAM at Victoria Palmerston North, and gained a Northland University and she became a Diploma of Education from the Wellington 6012 contributor. As JAAM reviews editor, I Auckland School of Education. She

...... Spring 2015 was supervisor of a kindergarten for short stories and novels. My first article I also encountered the avant-garde 30 years in Auckland. was published in Metro and I had American poetry magazine SlugFest, Patricia lives in Te Atatu South, several articles published in Broadsheet which was published three times a year Auckland, and is currently co-editor (the women’s journal) and in American for about five years. I contributed of Kokako and the reviews/interviews journals. poems, reviews and interviews to the editor of Haibun Today. She is a magazine over this period. I became reviewer for Takahē, Atlas Poetica, MP: Recently, I read the journal good writing friends with two of the Metverse Muse and other journals. plainwraps (1989-1991), and found poets: one a Professor of English from She is a member of The New Zealand your name among the contributors. Prague, and the other a hermit, Uncle Poetry Society, The New Zealand Others I found your name in besides River, who lives in the American desert, Society of Authors and the Tanka JAAM were Bravado, Poetry NZ, where he is self-sufficient. He has Society of America. She is on the Magazine, Valley Micropress, published several sci-fi novels and I panel of editors for the Indian Southern Ocean Review and Takahē. reviewed one or two of them for the publication Poetcrit, and the tanka You have contributed to NZ poetry magazine. journal Gusts. Patricia is on the magazines for many years. The Spin editorial panel of the Indian orbital workshop is one of the main MP: This led to further overseas publication New Fiction Journal and groups involving you. Tell us about publication? is a member of the Guild of Indian this. English Writers, Critics and Editors. PP: Yes, I have also published poems, PP: I joined the Spin orbital group, and the occasional review or essay in Abbreviations used: MP = Mark Pirie; where each orbit shared their poems the overseas publications Poetry PP: Patricia Prime with a small group of other poets for Salzburg Review, edited by Professor feedback and criticism. Through the Wolfgang Görtschacher (Austria), MP: When did you arrive in New orbit our group decided to meet Meteore Meteore, edited by Mryiam Zealand? Did you have reasons for occasionally at the poet/editor p n w Pierri and Giovanni Campisi (Italy) and choosing to live here? donnelly’s house for discussions about Babel, an international journal of our ongoing work. translation, edited by Dr. Réne PP: My husband and I immigrated to Haeseryn (Belgium). In 1998 Les New Zealand in 1975 with our four MP: Through this writing Éditions David published ten of my children, age 2 to 10. My husband was association, you edited the Winter haiku in the Anthology of Haiku, offered a job here with the same issue of Spin. Tell us about the directed by André Duhaime, Canada. printing company for whom he worked magazines you have edited or worked Many pieces of work were also in Britain. It was a great opportunity to on. published by Jane Reichhold in the move to a new country with a more online Canadian magazine LYNX, in easy-going lifestyle, plenty of PP: David Drummond originally edited Gusts (editor Kozue Uzawa) and in opportunities and a safe country in Spin and after he died p n w donnelly Haiku Canada Review (editor LeRoy which to bring up a family. continued as its editor, along with Gorman). I won a prize for my haiku several other editors over a period of entry in a contest commemorating the MP: When did you first start time. The magazine was later edited by 10th anniversary of the HIA (Japan), writing? the late Bernard Gadd and myself. and an award for my haiku for the Previously, Bernard and Catherine Mair A-Bomb Memorial Day (Japan). PP: I suppose I could give two answers. decided to publish two issues annually: The first approach is the more private the spring issue Spin and the winter MP: In the 1990s, you edited an one of manipulating language in the issue WinterSpin. The first issue anthology of New Zealand poetry way many people do in their teens when published traditional poetry and the published in India. Tell us about how I sent poems to women’s magazines and second issue published the Japanese this came about. the children’s pages of newspapers and short forms of haiku and tanka. Spin my writing appeared in my school eventually declined. Later, Bernard and PP: A friend in England published a magazine. Writing became more of an I named the haiku version Kokako. I’ve booklet called Light’s List, which listed interest for me after the early death of co-edited Kokako twice a year for 23 worldwide publications, and I sent him my husband, and my young daughter issues with a variety of editors and the names and addresses of publications and I went to a creative writing course presently work with Margaret in New Zealand and Australia. From the at the local high school. My daughter no Beverland. booklet, I obtained the names of longer participated after the first year We publish haiku, tanka, haibun, rengay overseas magazines and submitted my but I went on to take a correspondence and several reviews in each issue and work to various journals. I submitted course in writing through The Writing introduced a haiku or tanka competition poems to several of the Indian School of Wellington. The course which takes place every alternate year. publications listed in the booklet. My taught lessons in playwriting, articles, work writing and publishing in India

2 ...... Poetry Archive began with a contact from Professor Accepting Summer was published in feeling of haiku and suggested we try R K Singh who asked me to review his 2001 by Bahri Publications. the Japanese forms of poetry. Since book. This led to the publication of I also came in contact with the then, Catherine and I have self- Every Stone Drop Pebble, a collection Mongolian editor, Professor Hadaa published several of our collections of of haiku by myself, Catherine Mair and Sendoo, and submitted poems to him for haiku, tanka, haibun, and collaborative Professor R K Singh, and the editing of The World Poetry Almanac. My poems, tanka sequences. the poetry anthology, Something an interview and reviews have been Between Breaths, both published by published in the publication every year MP: Recently, you have become a Bahri Publications, India, in the 1990s. since 2007: the latest issue contains two prolific contributor to the magazine collaborative tanka prose pieces by Valley Micropress. Index New MP: This was a good selection of myself and French poet, Giselle Maya. Zealand at the National Library lists poets, selected from a wide variety of around 300 poetry publications by sources i.e. Micropress NZ, Printout, MP: You are known as a very open you. What types of poetry do you Valley Micropress, Spin, and reviewer (Takahē) and interviewer mostly publish in the journal, and individual collections from small (Stylus Poetry Journal, Australia) who why? presses, and not the usual. Names like acts with integrity. I guess I should Lee Dowrick, Catherine Mair, Trevor mention I was one of your PP: I believe I have been published in Reeves, Tony Eden, Margaret Blay, interviewees in 2003. Tell us about the most of Tony Chad’s issues of Valley Jeanette Stace, p n w donnelly and interviews you have conducted, and Micropress since the late 1990s, which Barry Morrall provide a worthwhile some of the poets you chose to is published monthly and has now counterpoint to the usual literary interview and why. reached Vol.18: Issue 9. It is the only selections of the period. other magazine in New Zealand PP: I have conducted several together with Kokako which publishes PP: Many of these poets were interviews, including those with Steven haiku and tanka as well as traditional participants in the Spin orbits and met Carter (Retired Emeritus Professor of poetry. I mostly submit haiku and tanka frequently to discuss poems. Trevor English, USA), Miriam Sagan to the journal, with the occasional poem Reeves was the editor of Southern (Associate professor of the Santa Fe or haibun. Ocean Review and several poems in Community College, USA), Jeffrey each issue were illustrated by his wife, Woodward (Editor of Haibun Today, MP: Who are some of your influences Judith Wolfe. I have one of the USA), , C K Stead, as a writer or some of the poets you drawings that illustrated my poem on Tony Beyer, Stephen Oliver and admire? Chagall on my wall. Micropress NZ was Professor (Director of a small magazine edited in the South the International Institute of Modern PP: I enjoy the work of overseas poets Island; it’s sister magazine, The Mozzie, Letters) (all NZ writers), and others. like Seamus Heaney, James Merrill, is still being published in Australia by Some of these interviewees, such as Robinson Jeffers, John Ashbery, Robert Ron Heard. those published in Takahē, were chosen Hass, Alice Oswald, Cyrus Cassells, by the editor, Cassandra Fusco. Others I Marie Ponsot and many others. MP: You have also published poetry have chosen myself from poets whose Here are some of the New Zealand collections in India through this work I admire, who may have published poets I admire with a short quote from connection. These are not in the a large body of work and whose each of them: National Library of New Zealand. background would be of interest to Tell us about these publications. readers. , “badlands”, JAAM 19:

PP: Through my contact with Indian MP: Tell us about your friendship the shit of hip-filled pigeons glows pink poets/editors, I have written critical with the Katikati poet Catherine on the path like tiny pastilles of hope essays on the work of several Indian Mair, and the importance of working poets including Professor K V Dominic, with another poet in collaboration. I Jack Ross, “News from Home”, Spin Professor R K Singh, Dr Mohammed think your first book publication was 45: Fakhruddin, Dr H I Rizvi, and Dr K V with Catherine Mair and p n w Raghupathi. I collaborated with Indian donnelly for instance. I was frightened when I hid behind haijin Dr Kanwar Dinesh Singh on a the hedge, and saw them riding by – collection of haiku called Deuce. PP: I met Catherine Mair 25 years ago, the big horses, the dark riders, I have written on New Zealand women after we had corresponded for several and the dogs poets for Creative Forum (India) and years through the Spin orbital down the hill to the wharf, where essays on contemporary Indian English workshop. We exchanged our poems the cream launch came threshing in. poetry and have reviewed many books with one another for critical comment. of poetry and short stories by Indian David Drummond (then editor of Spin) writers. My solo collection of poetry had suggested that our poems had the

...... 3 Spring 2015 James Brown, “Spamtoum”, poet, Anne Benjamin, for a collection to The first title to catch my eye is 205: be published in Australia and writing Gertrude Stein’s book nijuan and junicho renku with a group Tender Buttons (with its French double Pass this on and support the arts of poets: Dick Pettit (Denmark), Francis entendre What are you afraid of? Attard (Malta) and Vanessa Proctor as bouton tender or nipple). The nipple Business deals in the Middle East (Australia). seems to Major attacks have a natural hardness, which perhaps sees things Gregory O’Brien, “Beausoleil”, no other part of the body witnesses. Landfall 205: In a flash of memory (à la Proust’s The beginning of summer was the end Madeleine) of summer; spring became I am back on the boat on Lake Taupo where one of my overseas visitors autumn. A lizard running down a stone caught a trout. wall The small “i” of myself watched with ran back up. baited breath – all eyes on the catch as the captain Pooja Mittal, “deep in the woods”, drove Poetry NZ 26: a spike into its eye. Pat Prime The stomach was opened to reveal that deep in the woods it had the metal boy seeks his father. been feeding on smelt and green beetles. each branch bends a kiss Poems by Patricia Prime of moonlight, but the stars The fish was held aloft to have its remain untouched. CANVAS picture taken: the fisherman’s eyes gleaming behind Pip Sheehan, “home is the arms around A glowing sunset painted on the sky sunglasses, you”, Poetry NZ 26: in colours so intense no artist’s brush his mouth pursed in an “o” of delight. could recreate these hues or satisfy The trout’s eye Wanaka/Christchurch the urge to capture beauty soon to fade. a bloody socket. mist patting down the damp hills the car knifes its warm way Colours change as evening gently falls. Blood is our Esperanto, flesh through the highway A canvas sky, unframed, impermanent, our zaum, who softening and mellowing in the fading have no verbs MP: What poetry projects are you light. currently working on? to frighten away Yet, like the artist with his canvas the night. PP: I co-edit Kokako twice yearly and I try to paint my page with words. select reviews/interviews for the online Although my thoughts are inadequate, (Nothing journal Haibun Today four times a year, as the artist fails, so do I. but words.) Noting write reviews for several journals and more than notice conduct an interview perhaps once a Humility and wonder both combine year. This takes up much of my time. to banish vain thoughts of poetry (Charles Bernstein, “Common Stock”) Recently I collaborated with the French that defeats the poet’s hand. poet, Giselle Maya, on a book called Shizuka which contains tanka ROAD SWEEPER sequences, tanka prose and solo haibun. THE EYES HAVE IT I have also collaborated with several There is a man, poets on renku, tanka sequences and The woodpile grows beside the garden a faint scar other forms of poetry. I was one of the shed. halfway down his forehead, editors, together with Dr Bruce Ross, of The moon gazes from a vacant eye as I the World Haiku Anthology: A Vast Sky draw the curtains. who rides a bike st and published with editors, Beverley In my hand is 21 -Century Modernism, along the footpath George and Amelia Fielden, the tanka Marjorie Perloff. picking up rubbish anthology, 100 Tanka by 100 Poets. I’m currently writing collaborative tanka sequences with an Australian 4 ...... Poetry Archive with a fork-like instrument GRIEF a new wave of younger writers at the and slipping it under time. JAAM led to my anthology of Gen- the lid of a container. I do not grieve for him X writers The NeXt Wave (Otago for he is here, in my mind, University Press, 1998). Ten years was He wears a crash helmet abounds in my memories. up in 2005, I was working full-time and I and protective clothing He is there is the morning birdsong, felt I was getting older and needed new for this menial task. and in the nightly silence of the moon. challenges like my own research into I see him in the clouds and in the sunset, New Zealand poetry history. I started Chip packets float in the pristine snow and the smell of broadsheet in 2008 along with the Poetry about him roses. Archive Poetry Notes newsletter in 2010 like a flock of doves. He is in the taste of first strawberries, to publish some of my research. Vaughan and the grapes growing on the vine. Rapatahana in Jacket2 (USA, 2015) also He raises his hand I feel him in the summer breeze included my historical notes on JAAM. in salute, greets me and the winter storm and waves. The name JAAM (Just Another Art each day with a smile, For me, he is in my sons’ smiles Movement) was from my suggestion and my daughter’s deep brown eyes. voted on at an early meeting of our so there’s nothing He is there, all around, not forgotten Victoria University Writers’ Club in left for me until the day I die, for he lives always 1995 (after I advertised in Salient, the but to greet him – in my memories. student newspaper, for members to form a new club). Paul Wolffram turned up to as he wanders away that first meeting and played an active into the distance JAAM history role from the beginning, as he had been whistling tunelessly. involved with Poetry Jamms at high school and had published a poetry A HISTORY OF JAAM LITERARY anthology called The Think Tank THE RETURN MAGAZINE by Mark Pirie (1994). JAAM derives from Paul Wolffram’s high school Poetry Jamms. Gulls circle the ocean bearing the sea- (A copy of one of their Taranaki high gift school anthologies is in the Poetry of prophecy. A little girl running Archive here). JAAM (pronounced Jam) across the sand waves at me to stop. implied a ‘musical and literary jam session’ and was originally an outlet for Behind the smooth unfinished slope of club members. nose, Wolffram is the co-founder with me (but those bland planes of lip, cheek and Helen Rickerby and Clare Needham are chin, original foundation members too). Paul too undeclared as yet to signal and I were the prime movers who led character, three groups of writers in the von Zedlitz tower at Victoria University that year. I what else can the child do but look managed to attract student funding for for support from someone whom she JAAM from the VUW Students’ supposes older and wiser? Association. A connection through Radio Active (when I was a DJ), Liam Ryan, JAAM 20th anniversary issue I am startled from daydream was high up there and I got lucky. Dr by a face, a voice, a hand, a word, Sydney Shep, Wai-te-ata Press printer, Following the mention of JAAM in the all so sudden, innocent and immaculate – offered to help us and we used her interview with Patricia Prime, I’d like to imprint for the first six issues. The local add here a brief history of the magazine the sight of another child in the water Vic Printing Services who did all the JAAM, which is now part of my legacy in obvious difficulty. Over the Course Notes printed it for us. When I like Charles Brasch with Landfall. inevitable left undergraduate university the JAAM This year marks the 20th anniversary of tide, a slight attack, a half dozen retreats club ceased, but we continued the the magazine. Helen Rickerby and Clare magazine by our own publishing Needham who took over the magazine until the child is safe in my arms. collective of original founding members after I retired in 2005 now manage it. In the far distance, look: tiny blades of and it was now a national young writers’ A Vic News article foresaw this light magazine. Paul and I found Massey retirement in 1995. The article records flash in the roaring ocean. Printery in Palmerston North to print it me saying that I hoped the magazine for us. I made the Creative NZ would be around for 10 years to promote application that received the first JAAM

...... 5 Spring 2015 funding in 1997, and under my hard Francis Cloke’s poem, ‘Carlaw Park’, work and influence the magazine grew to National Poetry Day has genuine qualities to it. A rare poem be international with a solid review poem on the League code in New Zealand, it section by 2000. In 1999, Paul Wolffram strikes home as it paints a delicate left for Papua New Guinea to do field portrait of a rugged sport, and is research into tribal music. He became an FRANCIS CLOKE’S CARLAW unafraid to espouse the sport as a form ethnomusicologist and didn’t return to PARK by Mark Pirie of athletic art. JAAM editing. The poem first appeared in differing Most of the early issues Nos. 1-12 had a PANZA celebrated National Poetry form as ‘Ode to Carlaw Park’ by “F. C., JAAM editing group with a General Day, 28 August 2015, with a classic Parnell”, in the Rugby League News, 16 Editor writing the Editorial: New Zealand poem on the famous May 1925 (according to the 100 years, rugby league ground Carlaw Park by Auckland rugby league history, 2009). Initial General Editors (Nos. 1-23): Francis Cloke (1860-1941).  Mark Pirie, Nos. 1-3, 5, 7, 10 Carlaw Park was for many years during CARLAW PARK (with Scott Kendrick), 13, 15, the amateur era the home of Auckland 17, 19, 20 (with Amelia Nurse), and New Zealand Rugby League. There’s a neat little park in Parnell 21 (with Michael O’Leary), 23 Named after founder James Carlaw, a Of its picturesque beauties I’d tell:  Paul Wolffram, Nos. 4, 6, 8, 11 senior figure in a prominent League Overlooked by the trees  Helen Rickerby Nos. 9, 12 family, Carlaw Park matches date from As they wave in the breeze (with Anne-Marie Clarke), 16, 1921 until 2002, when the park was On whose branches the singing birds 22 eventually condemned. Mount Smart dwell.  Nos. 14, 18 Stadium became League’s new home. City v Newton was the park’s first For protection, its walls are built high Helen Rickerby was an assistant editor, match. In those days, Rugby League Just to hide from the view of the spy part of the JAAM editing group (like was in hot competition with Rugby Who never seems willing Ingrid Horrocks, Clare Needham, Scott post-World War One. The Auckland To part with his shilling Kendrick and Anne-Marie Clarke) until Rugby Union changed their playing For what others are anxious to buy. No. 9 when Helen got a chance to edit. rules during the 1920s for fast running It’s a beautiful place to behold, She proved to be a very good editor (see rugby and imposed bans on players who Nicely sheltered from winds that are Nos. 16 and 22 in particular). Helen and switched codes in an effort to stave off cold, Clare took it over from issue 24 (applied the competition from League. However, This model of freeland for and received Creative NZ funding) the All Black Invincibles tour of 1924- The gem of New Zealand, and various editors were used e.g. Tim 25 enhanced Rugby’s reputation as it And its value’s not measured in gold. Jones, Siobhan Harvey, Anne Kennedy continued to dominate against the and Sue Wootton. Anna Jackson as guest League code and other winter sports High up on its long terraces grand editor (Nos. 14 and 18) set a precedent like association football and hockey. There a great many thousands can stand, for outsourcing work to people outside of Auckland League legend Karl Ifwersen Where they all get a view our JAAM group to edit individual switched codes and became an All And a thrill through and issues. I think JAAM still serves a Black in 1921. Later, in the 1930s, All through, worthwhile purpose in the writing Black greats George Nepia and Bert As the boys play the game at command. community like Takahē and other Cooke switched codes and graced journals. Helen and Clare choose guest Carlaw Park. There’s an artistic fence all round editors now. Which encircles the main playing ground, General Editors (Nos. 24-33): Where our active athletes  Helen Rickerby and Clare There perform their great feats Needham Nos. 24, 28 Of endurance that all doth astound.  Tim Jones No. 25  Siobhan Harvey No. 26 It’s a bit of this world made anew, And a place of enjoyment for you;  Ingrid Horrocks No. 27 Will give, when completed,  Anne Kennedy No. 29 Both standing and seated,  Anna Jackson et al No. 30 A full thirty-five thousand clear view.  Harvey Molloy and Clare

Needham No. 31 Rugby League is the game they play,  Sue Wootton No. 32 George Nepia (far right) tackling during a League test at Carlaw Park, 1937. Rugby League is the game come to stay,  Kiri Piahana Wong and Rosetta Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library Allan No. 33 6 ...... Poetry Archive Where the public of sport His son W E (Billy) Cloke, a By the thousand resort, warehouseman, was an Auckland Rugby Poetry by MaryJane Get full measure for all that they pay. League selector (1939-40-41), who Thomson selected George Nepia 1939 for When the game to its final has come, Auckland, and earlier (as a player) had And the critic has used froth and foam, been a back (five-eighth, wing or centre) Wellington poet MaryJane Thomson Just outside the front gate for Auckland’s Newton Rangers (a club has a new book out (see publications by There the tram-cars await that in 1912 and 1927 won the Fox PANZA members). To take players and spectators home. Memorial club competition). Cloke was Here are two poems from her new book selected for the Kiwis in 1919 after a trial Lonely Earth: FRANCIS CLOKE. match. This was a tour of NSW and Queensland, and Cloke was included as a Poems by MaryJane Thomson (From Francis Cloke’s Songs of New reserve back in the Fourth Test v rd Zealand and Various Verses, 3 ed., Australia but didn’t play). An Auckland MIDNIGHT SUN Auckland, 1931) rep, Cloke played at centre in a famous win over Great Britain in 1920. Karl Something orange glaring out, Cloke’s only collection privately printed Ifwerson was his teammate. Cloke was you ought to pick that thing up and Songs of New Zealand and Various then included as an emergency for the look closely at the colour beneath Verses (Auckland, NZ: Dawson Printing) Kiwis v Great Britain but didn’t play. the direct light. ran into three editions: 1924, 1925, 1931. Billy also played cricket for Railways A regional Auckland poet, Cloke wrote and was involved in yachting. Like an actor center stage, popular verses on various Kiwi themes: Another son Francis George Cloke, a we all want to see them bow humbly sport (cricket, rugby, league, yachting, railways worker, was a yachtsman, so we can stand. etc.), the landscape, towns and bays, and regularly mentioned in Auckland I will not stand for it. celebrations of church, political, newspapers in Sanders Cup contests (a But I will look upon it tonight and historical and military figures, including winner in 1922 crewing with Desert see the bordering black, aviator Jean Batten. He was a Gold and in 1929 crewing as owner of for it is a black sun. contemporary of other New Zealand Avalon). Proud father Francis wrote a poets like the recently republished poem ‘Desert Gold’ celebrating his son’s Midnight, midday – it is warm, Robert J Pope (1865-1949). achievement. mid-afternoon – it is torn, Some details on Cloke’s life are His final son Arthur Cloke, a caterer, was here and there like scattered leaves traceable. Cloke was born in the an opening batsman, an Auckland floating through a sieve December quarter 1860, Launceston, cricketer, for R.V. Cricket Club. Arthur into shattered bits of pepper, Cornwall, UK. His father died when he played League like his brother Billy for devoured in the air was very young leaving his mother to Newton Rangers. so you can see the orange in there. raise the family alone. At age 9, Cloke PANZA recognises Francis Cloke as a began working in the coalmines in poet of interest during the Edwardian and Yorkshire. In 1886, Cloke married Georgian eras. He doesn’t appear in any UNFORESEEN FORESEEN Elizabeth Ross (1866-1935) and had a New Zealand poetry anthology that family with her. Francis, of the Parnell PANZA is aware of. Overcast skies, Methodist Church, worked as a labourer Whiter ways. for Railways. They lived at 12 York Works consulted: Street, Parnell, Auckland, close to Auckland Star newspaper New Zealand Herald newspaper Carlaw Park. Francis was involved with Descending power lines, coal mining at Kawakawa on arrival in Auckland, 100 Years of Rugby League, 1909- 2009, by John Coffey and Bernie Wood Time behind. New Zealand. (Wellington: Huia Publishers; Auckland: Cloke was the father of six children: Auckland Rugby League, 2009). John, Francis, William, Arthur and two An Illustrated History: Centenary 1910-2010: Man looking up, girls: “Mrs F W Johnson (Kamo)” and 100 years of New Zealand Rugby League Sees it all. “Mrs F W Kirby”. John Cloke (1894- (Auckland: New Zealand Rugby League, 1916), a Railways engineer, was killed in 2010). action at the Somme, France, World War Databases used: Plane drops bomb, One, aged 22 years. It’s no secret. The three other sons were all involved in Free UK birth records Birth, Deaths and Marriages, New Zealand Auckland sport, and further research Archway - Archives New Zealand shows a family connection to the League World’s full of fire, code. Like Al Green.

...... 7 Spring 2015 films. The runner-up was M K Joseph, Overseas Reviews of Song of Sixpence Further comment on then a law student at AUC. Geoffrey Pollett He sailed from Auckland to Sydney on Spectator, 11 June 1936, p. 42: (“…this the Monowai on March 22nd 1934, engaging book which it would be a then to England on the Orsova, pity to miss.”). Geoffrey Pollett, the English writer, arriving May 10th 1934; profession Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 20 March author of Song of Sixpence, featured in “clerk”. 1936, p.3: (“…I enjoyed every page of the previous issue of Poetry Notes. the book.”). Pollett contributed to the New Zealand Robert is listed on the 1935 UK Electoral Gloucester Citizen, 27 March 1936, Mercury in the 1930s. Here are some Roll living at 2 Florence Street, Hornsey, p. 17: (“Mr Pollett knows how to live further biographical and bibliographical Haringay, in North London, and on the with gusto, and convey that into his details supplied by researcher and 1937 Roll at 2 Greenham Road, Muswell writing”). bibliographer Rowan Gibbs. Hill (this was his contact address when Gloucestershire Echo, 20 April 1936, he left England in 1926, so was probably p. 4, and also in Cheltenham GEOFFREY POLLETT, 1908-1937 his parents’ house). Chronicle, 25 April 1936, p. 6: (“a by Rowan Gibbs breezy, unconventional, and Short Stories by Pollett entertaining book”). Pollett’s full name was Robert Geoffrey Western Morning News, 7 May 1936, Pollett. His birth and death were ‘A Winter’s Tale. Catching the Cream p. 6: (“a companionable and readable registered under this name. Wagon. Early Hours on a Dairy book”). He was born in Stoke Newington in Farm’ [autobiographical sketch, but There are references to a review in the Hackney in London and his birth was with dialogue] in Auckland Star, 27 Times by W H Davies (whom Pollett registered in Hackney between April and July 1929, p.1. met on his travels) but I have been June 1908. His death was registered in ‘Strange Meeting’ in Gloucester Journal, unable to locate it. Westminster between April and June 1 January 1938, p.18 [probably by him 1937. – if so published posthumously]. His parents were Thomas and Lizzie Further comment on Maude Pollett. Essays / Articles by Pollett In the 1911 census the family are living John O’Connor in London (Stoke Newington) and ‘Resolutions and Reflections’ in Robert has two older brothers, John Auckland Star, 31 December 1929, Dudley Pollett and William Francis p.6. The New Zealand poet and editor John Gilbert Pollett. His father’s profession is ‘Place Names. What they mean to us’ in O’Connor died in May this year. A “Clerk with electrical and telegraph New Zealand Herald, 2 May 1931, p.1. comprehensive write-up is in the engineers”. ‘From my window. Watching the world previous issue of Poetry Notes, Winter Robert sailed from Southampton to wake’ in New Zealand Herald, 11 2015. Wellington in 1926 on the Tamaroa, age February 1933, p.1. Tony Chad, editor of the poetry 18, profession “farm hand”. He is ‘“In England – Now”. A Simple Man’s magazine Valley Micropress, found travelling in a party with several other Credo’ in New Zealand Herald, 15 another alias used by John. young farmers. Whether he lived in New April 1933, p.1. Chad notes that O’Connor contributed Zealand earlier is uncertain, but I’ve ‘Of Trees. Reflections thereunder’ in satirical poems to his magazine using found no evidence for that and no listing New Zealand Herald, 8 July 1933, the names Stefan Starling and (new to of an earlier voyage to New Zealand and p.1. us) Simon Slim. back to England. And no voyage by his Here are the listings from Index New parents. NZ Reviews of Song of Sixpence Zealand for Starling and Slim: A few references to him in New Zealand newspapers: Auckland Star, 11 April 1936, p.2.(The Stefan Starling (poems): review states that the book contains New Zealand Herald, 3 October 1930, poems first published in the Auckland ‘Le quacks’; ‘Stefan considers the p. 7 — Acting with the ‘Cameo Star, so there are poems by him nature of philosophy & religion’; Dramatic Circle’ in Auckland. therein – I found only ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Considering the nature of infinity’; A D Bathurst is a member. Auckland Star, 22 August 1931, p.1.) ‘A love song’; ‘Palmy’ in JAAM: Just And there are later references to this New Zealand Herald, 11 April 1936, p.4. Another Art Movement, May 1998; club. Evening Post, 24 April 1936, p.26 (a no.10: p.141-146. Auckland Star, 28 July 1931, p. 16 — long piece by Alan Mulgan, comparing ‘Beautiful’ in Valley Micropress, In 1931 he won a competition about Pollett’s attitude in peddling his verses September 2008; vol.11, no.7: p.3. Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes to D’Arcy Cresswell’s). ‘Fresh smell’ in Valley Micropress, September 2008; vol.11, no.7: p.6. 8 ...... Poetry Archive ‘Philosopher’ in Valley Micropress, Comment on Thomson’s previous November 2009; vol.12, no.9: p.10. C K Stead appointed collection Fallen Grace: ‘Butterfly case’ in Valley Micropress, NZ Poet Laureate May 2009; vol.12, no.4: p.7. “[Thomson’s] poems are, for the most ‘T & P meet J’ in A Fine line part, powerful and provoking, layered (Wellington, N.Z.: Online), March PANZA would like to congratulate C K and anguished. They are infused with 2010: p.11-12. Stead on his recent appointment as New sparks of language and surprises at the Zealand’s Poet Laureate. turn of a page, the turn of a line … an Simon Slim (poems): originality of thought and feeling.” – Patricia Prime, Takahē ‘Side-show’ in Valley Micropress, Jan/Feb 2009; vol.12, no.1: p.9. New publications by “There’s a satisfying breadth and grasp ‘Thank you Miss Bethell’ in Valley to Thomson’s style of writing … she’s Micropress, November 2009; vol.12 PANZA Members prepared to break out of any too rigid no.9: p.5. confines of the vernacular into the ‘Isabella-Isabella’; ‘Heaven’s above’; Title: Lonely Earth slightly more studied, but never (thank ‘Ballad’ in Valley Micropress, Author: MaryJane Thomson God) the pompous or affected. A fine January/February 2014; vol.17, no.1: ISBN 978-0-473-33973-9 debut volume.” pp.4,11,13. Price: $30.00 - Jack Ross, Poetry New Zealand ‘Amour’ in Valley Micropress, March Extent: 90 pages Yearbook 1 2015; vol.18, no.2: p.17. Format: 148mmx210mm Publication: November 2015 About the Author Publisher: HeadworX Paekakariki Arts Walk MaryJane Thomson, a Wellington About the Book writer, artist and photographer, is the author of the memoir Sarah Vaughan is PANZA Archivist Dr Michael O’Leary Sounding out the tip of the square earth, Not my Mother (Awa Press, 2013) and recently spoke at the launch of a new every country on the edge at an angle. the poetry sequence Fallen Grace Paekakariki Arts Walk on Sunday 30 Too much detail would be when (HeadworX/The Night Press, 2014). August 2015. it is all seeming a bit much Her poetry is featured in Outcryer The walk includes poems by O’Leary from the air, (USA) and has appeared in Black Mail and others like Rob Hack, Apirana lonely planet up there. Press, Valley Micropress and Taylor and John Daubé. (‘Lonely Earth’) broadsheet. Here’s a link to the website with more on the project: The poems in MaryJane Thomson’s http://paw.org.nz/PIWR.htm second collection, Lonely Earth, show an important development since her debut collection Fallen Grace. Moving from a more personal and ‘confessional’ poetry, the poems in Lonely Earth take the reader out into the urban streets of the 21st century. An urgent political and public voice is at work in these poems with hints of reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk and blues driving the musicality and the rhythm of the lines. Shorter, minimalist poems transmit, like antennae of the world, concise imagery and deep thought. Lonely Earth is a diverse, edgy read grappling with contemporary issues like care of the environment, humanity’s past, its wars and consumerism. At the

heart of Thomson’s poems is a

committed voice that cares deeply for

the world and its people. Michael O’Leary speaking at the opening of the Paekakariki Arts Walk, 30 August 2015

...... 9 Spring 2015 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I saw her sitting in our kitchen watching Title: 12 Netball Poems fingers crossed Author: Mark Pirie as each test ISBN 978-0-473-33667-7 counted down… Price: $15.00 Extent: 16 pages About the Author Format: 148mmx210mm Publication: October 2015 Mark Pirie is a Wellington poet, sports Publisher: The Night Press/HeadworX fan and researcher. He has previously published poems on rugby, cricket and football, and edited A Tingling Catch: A Century of New Zealand Cricket Poems 1864-2009 and a Brazil 2014 World Cup issue of his poetry journal broadsheet: A Selection of Football Poetry 1890-2014. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Title: Poetic Fish Hooks * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Author: Niel Wright Price: Free Title: Livin’ ina Aucklan’ Extent: 400 pages Artist: Earl of Seacliff’s Lonely Hearts Format: Rich Text Format documents Club Band [Michael O’Leary et al] Publication: 2015 Price: $20.00 Publisher: Original Books Format: CD Publication: November 2015 About the Book Publisher: ESAW Sounds Division Niel Wright describes it as ‘a novelty in About the CD the book trade’, ‘a miscellany of prose and verse including 200 new poems’ in The CD includes Michael O’Leary’s RTF format, freely available from the Auckland poems of the city, set to National Library of New Zealand and music by a number of editable by anyone.

musicians/collaborators: Brian Romeril, It is downloadable from the following About the Book Gilbert Haisman, Sean O’Leary, Al link:http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/co

Whitham, Hilda Prasad, and others. ntent-aggregator/getIEs?system=ilsdb 12 Netball Poems by Mark Pirie is a &id=1748388 collection of poems celebrating the About the Author game of netball and its players. Included About the Author is a sequence of poems ‘Five Silver Michael O’Leary (b. 1950) is a well Ferns Portraits’ in honour of some of Niel Wright first put poetry to paper in known bookshop proprietor, publisher, New Zealand’s finest netball players 1943. His total original poetry in print novelist, poet and performer. (Maria Tutaia, Laura Langman, Casey runs to 56,925 lines of formal verse. As In 2011 his words were set to music by Kopua, Sandra Edge and Leilani Read). a publisher he has issued 1400 books, local Kapiti Coast musicians on the CD, about 100 by other authors than himself. An addenda by Napier poet, former Fences Fall. He is publisher for Earl of scientist and politician Bill Sutton Seacliff Art Workshop, an established celebrates Irene van Dyk, a Silver Fern independent publisher of contemporary great. New Zealand poetry and fiction. He now lives in Paekakariki, north of S A N D R A E D G E Wellington. Website: http://michaeloleary.wordpress.com Sandra Edge, you stole my mother away with each neat pass after dinner.

10 ...... Poetry Archive poetry event programmes, posters and/or Donate to PANZA prints of NZ poets or their poetry books. through PayPal DONT THROW OUT OLD NZ POETRY! SEND IT TO PANZA

You can now become a friend of PANZA will offer: PANZA or donate cash to help us • Copies of NZ poetry books for private continue our work by going to research and reading purposes. http://pukapukabooks.blogspot.com and • Historical information for poets, accessing the donate button – any writers, journalists, academics, donation will be acknowledged. researchers and independent scholars of NZ poetry. • Photocopying for private research purposes. Recently received • Books on NZ poetry and literary history, and CD-ROMs of NZ poetry and donations literature. • CDs of NZ poets reading their work. Colin and Helen Moore – 18 titles. You can assist the preservation of NZ poetry by becoming one of the Noeline Gannaway – Random Leaves Friends of the Poetry Archive of New by Noeline Gannaway. Zealand Aotearoa (PANZA ). If you’d like to become a friend or Patricia Prime – Kokako 23. business sponsor of PANZA, please contact us. Michael O’Leary – 7 titles Contact Details PANZA kindly thanks these donators to Poetry Archive of NZ Aotearoa the archive. (PANZA) 1 Woburn Road, Northland, Wellington Dr Niel Wright - Archivist (04) 475 8042 About the Poetry Dr Michael O’Leary - Archivist (04) 905 7978 Archive email: [email protected]

Visits welcome by appointment Poetry Archive of New Zealand

Aotearoa (PANZA) Current PANZA Members:

Mark Pirie (HeadworX), Roger Steele PANZA contains (Steele Roberts Ltd), Michael O’Leary

(Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop) and Niel A unique Archive of NZ published Wright (Original Books). poetry, with around five thousand titles from the 19th century to the present day. The Archive also contains photos and Current Friends of PANZA: Paul Thompson, Gerrard O’Leary, paintings of NZ poets, publisher’s Vaughan Rapatahana and the New catalogues, poetry ephemera, posters, Zealand Poetry Society. reproductions of book covers and other memorabilia related to NZ poetry and PANZA is a registered charitable trust poetry performance.

Wanted NZ poetry books (old & new) Other NZ poetry items i.e. critical books on NZ poetry, anthologies of NZ poetry, poetry periodicals and broadsheets,

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