opening my latest book arrivals

inVisible cities

Inside the city a house
Inside the house a room
Inside the room a cupboard
Inside the cupboard a drawer
Inside the drawer a box
Inside the box a necklace
Inside the necklace a story
Inside the story a city home

Ah, I woke up before the birds and began to build a list of things I love and am grateful for. I increased my donation to The Spin Off. Their commitment to political analysis, celebrating the arts, writing that upholds planetary wellbeing, that values our cultural differences along with our connections, is exemplary.

I tuned into the BBC podcast People Fixing the World and am reminded that behind the toxicity of leaders hellbent on destroying this planet and its people, there are those who work selflessly to mend, repair, heal, nourish.

I read of an anonymous donor who has gifted a copy of Understanding Te Tiriti: A handbook of basic facts about Te Tiriti o Waitangi by barrister Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, England, Scotland, Ireland) to every secondary school in Aotearoa.

I am mindful that so many people are on rocky roads, weathering health challenges, family and personal tragedies, violence, poverty, hunger.

These are tough dark times. For the past months, I have been weathering my own rugged track, with a zillion appointments, and my daily energy jar shrinking. Poetry Shelf holds on by a whisker because, for me, it is an essential place of connection and aroha. It is an energy booster. A joy.

Whatever I do, I do out of love. I write out of love, I read out of love. Cook, bake bread, garden, walk. When my energy jar shrinks, I think self doubt amplifies and I question my ability to review books or write posts! But I keep hold of my tool kit and take another little step. Mistakes and all.

Ah. I have stack of poetry books on my desk to review – a towering pile because some days all I can do is listen to music or watch UK detective shows or bake Morning Glory Muffins (riffing off Harvest Wheat) or make sough dough bread with red quinoa (my latest version so yum!!).

And yes, I am deeply committed to Poetry Shelf, to upholding and nurturing its role as a hub for poets, readers and writers. Now more than ever it feels important – and I can’t wait to post more series next year.

In the meantime, I will be posting a 2024 highlights collage mid December and I am hoping to post reviews and more poems I love in the Monday spot.

an invite

This morning I was wondering if you would like to review a poetry book published in Aotearoa in 2024 that you have loved?

Saying no is important! This is just in case it is something you would like to do and share.

I would have six $50 book vouchers to give as koha. I could also give someone a bundle of my poetry books. I would post the reviews in December.

email me: paulajoygreen@gmail.com

I would gift six book vouchers – one per person.

And this is just if you have read a nz poetry book and loved it – I am holding onto my copies to read and review and keep in my poetry library for further use on blog.

If you are keen, let me know the name of the poetry book you would review.