She stands a moment in the sun,
Athwart her harsh land’s red and green -
Hands of a serf, and warrior eyes
Of some flame-sceptred Irish queen -
One moment, still. A little sob
Shakes parted lips and straining breast,
As if she heard the feet of those
Who tread her own forsaken quest;
As if she did not care that Life
Had snatched the jewels from her hair,
But grieved that menial needs and base
Were they which left her palace bare.
Then, with a strange and iron hand,
Destiny reaches forth and grips
The ruined cities in her eyes,
The bitter beauty of her lips.
Happy National Poetry Day/Week everyone! It seems apt to publish a New Zealand (South-African born) poet for this week’s Tuesday poem, in celebration of National Poetry Day/Week. One of my all-time favourite New Zealand fiction reads is undoubtedly Robin Hyde’s The Godwit’s Fly, so I thought I’d showcase some of her poetry from her first collection this week. This collection was put together in 1929, with the assistance of John Schroder, who had published many of them already in the Christchurch Sun. I find that there is an elegiac quality to Hyde’s poetry, combined with this overflowing passion and mental acuity that almost overwhelms, at times. I have always been particularly drawn to the first stanza of this poem – such power, such colour-blocked landscape, such a proud woman – and that opening line: ‘She stands a moment in the sun’. Perfect.
Enjoy Andrew Bell’s sharp, thoughtful commentary on the NZ Post Book Award finalists and three stunning poems at the hub. Take a dip into some of the other Tuesday Poet’s blogs, too, this week & help us celebrate everything that is poetry!
July 24, 2012 at 7:16 am
A wonderful poem. Especially, for me, the last stanza.
July 25, 2012 at 4:06 am
Ah, the strange and iron hand of destiny! That last stanza is so powerful, so dramatic. I can feel her heart in it, for sure. Pleased you enjoyed ‘The Farmer’s Wife’, Belinda
July 24, 2012 at 7:48 am
Me too ‘The Godwit’s Fly, Elizabeth – it is such an essentially Kiwi story to me and of course Wellington as the backdrop, and I like your comments about ‘overflowing passion and mental acuity’ which also describes ‘The Godwit’s Fly’.
July 25, 2012 at 4:11 am
Yes, Maggie, I always loved, loved, loved Eliza in Godwits – what a stunning character, with such tenacity. I do love NZ books where you can pick out recognizable locations, too – always liked doing that with Mansfield, as well
July 25, 2012 at 9:06 pm
I’m sure this was very true for many NZ farm wives of that era…I wonder what Robin’s experience was of them, the NZ ones I mean. Or is she just referring to them in general? My grandmother on my mum’s side was a back country farmer’s wife at this time. I’m not sure that this scenario was true for my her.. But she was a stoic!
I really liked the ending of the first verse…where the farmer’s wife seems to have more of the fighting spirit, still left.
‘Hands of a serf, and warrior eyes
Of some flame-sceptred Irish queen’
Pioneer life in NZ was undoubtedly challenging for women!