Blog

This is Mark's blog.

Mark Pirie included in More than a Roof, a housing anthology

In November I was included in a special volume of poetry and prose relating to the subject of housing in New Zealand. The book is published by the Landing Press team in Wellington. They received 450 poems for it and I was lucky to have a poem included. Here is some info about it from their website:

“More than a roof is about housing.

It’s about nostalgia, anger, contentment, longing, fear and much more. It brings together voices from across the spectrum – from those with no homes, those in emergency accommodation, in caravans, in cars, on boats, in rentals, or in their own houses.

Drawing together well-known writers and first-time poets, it’s a unique and timely collection.”

Weblink: https://www.landingpressnz.com/.

Recommended to check out at your local bookstore or order online.

I attended the launch at St Peter’s Church in Willis Street, Saturday 20 November 2021.

broadsheet 28 features Jenny Powell

The latest issue of my journal broadsheet, no.28, November 2021, features the Dunedin poet and writer, Jenny Powell.

The issue prints a selection of her poems on birds and marine life. I have published Powell’s poetry for many years in journals and have known her since 1996 when I was editing/publishing JAAM magazine. Back then she was known by her former name of Jenny Powell-Chalmers.

Others included are: Nick Ascroft, Jeanne Bernhardt, Kay McKenzie Cooke, David Eggleton, Michael Harlow, Roger Hickin, Carolyn McCurdle, Martha Morseth, James Norcliffe, Peter Olds, Michael O’Leary, Mark Pirie, Richard Reeve and Annie Villiers.

Here's the link:
http://broadsheetnz.wordpress.com

Mark Pirie edits Basim Furat's Visions New Arabic poems in translation

In July 2021, I edited a new collection of translations from the Arabic by Iraqi poet/travel writer Basim Furat, Visions.

The book contains new poems written on Furat's travels in Japan, South America and the Sudan.

The title is included in the ESAW Mini Series (being No. 43). Furat was also the first title in the ESAW Mini Series back in 2005.

It is an honour to be able to collect more of Furat's poetry in translation for readers in English. Furat is a highly regarded and award winning writer in the modern Arab world of travel writing and literature.

ESAW publishes Mark Pirie’s Bono Mato Poeia rock poems and drawings

In July 2021, my new collection of rock and roll poems and drawings, Bono Mato Poeia, was published by Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop.

It presents new poems on rock written since my previous music collection Electrimotive in 2018.

Artists included: Lauryn Hill, Leonard Cohen, Ryan Adams, songwriter Jimmy Webb, Van Halen, Jim Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Billy Joel, Ronnie Van Zant, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, David Bowie and more.

It also includes some B&W line drawings of Sammy Hagar, Leonard Cohen, Bono (cover), Bob Dylan, and Anthony Kiedis previously featured in my artbook Folk Punk.

This will be my final mini book in the ESAW Mini Series (being No. 42) which ESAW publisher Michael O'Leary intends to end at No. 50.