This is Mark's blog.
Recently, I came across a rugby league poem on the famous ground Carlaw Park by a little known New Zealand poet Francis Cloke (1860-1941).
I decided to research the poet further and came across the poet's family connection to the League code in New Zealand.
I made the research into a National Poetry Day 2015 blog.
You can read my article at the Poetry Archive of New Zealand Aotearoa website:
In August, part of my 2011 Rugby World Cup poem was included at the start of Chapter 14 in Ron Palenski’s new definitive history of New Zealand rugby published by Auckland University Press.
It was great to see my poem quotation included but it was equally fine to see the number of historical New Zealand poets included in the book, giving a sense of New Zealand’s poetic contribution to their national game.
This may come as a surprise for some (unlike rugby songs) but as was shown with my 2010 cricket poetry anthology, there has long been a newspaper tradition in New Zealand of sports writing and commentary on games through the medium of poetry.
In academic histories or anthologies of New Zealand literature, sporting poetry is not often recognised.
It’s good that Ron Palenski has recognised this facet of the rugby game in New Zealand.
Here’s the link to the book on the publisher’s website:
My poem, 'Daniel Vettori' appeared in the July/August edition of the Cricket Society News Bulletin in England and was included as part of the front page editorial by John Symons.
This publication coincided with the New Zealand cricket team’s tour of the UK, and followed on from Dan Vettori’s retirement from cricket at the conclusion of the 2015 World Cup final in Melbourne.
I, like many cricket followers internationally, will miss the sight of Dan on the cricket field.
My poem celebrates Dan’s contribution to the game. It was great to see it published somewhere prominent.
I wish him well for the future.
The latest issue of my journal broadsheet, no.15, May 2015, features award-winning New Zealand poet Riemke Ensing.
The issue celebrates her significant contribution to New Zealand poetry and features some of her newest, unpublished work.
Others included are: Vincent O’Sullivan current Poet Laureate, Rosetta Allan, Nick Ascroft, Anita Arlov, Karen Zelas, Jan Kemp, Judith Haswell, Iain Britton, Dorothy Howie, Annie Newcomer (USA), Kevin Ireland, Simon Fleck, Madeleine Slavick, Alistair Paterson and Peter Bland.
Here's the link:
http://broadsheetnz.wordpress.com