The Search
The Search brings together a collection of 'lost' poems
and two stories unearthed from Mark Pirie's early folders,
notebooks and journals (mostly handwritten and written between
1993-1996). Together they form an interesting collection showing
his early experimentation with form and style towards his own
unique and prolific voice in contemporary New Zealand poetry. The
Search poems usher in the influence of new generational movements
like Grunge and hip hop as well as older influences. Most of the
subjects of the early poems involve Wellington and to complement
the poems Pirie has added a section of new poems about Wellington
and black and white photographs of Wellington city and street
scenes by Paekakariki photographer John Girdlestone. Many of
Wellington's well known street people and personalities feature in
Pirie's poems, including elegies for Robert Jones, Paddy O'Dowd and
a tribute to busker legend 'Kenny'. This book will be of interest
to people who have travelled to or lived in Wellington over the
last decade, and can relate to many of the memories and places
mentioned in the poems.