Auckland University Press - Divine Muses Emerging Poet

September 19, 2012 by Elizabeth | 6 Comments

On National Poetry Day this year, the Divine Muses (founded by Siobhan Harvey in 2004) held a night of poetry readings at the Gus Fischer Gallery in Auckland, including stellar New Zealand poets Riemke Ensing, Sue Fitchett, Siobhan Harvey, Harry Ricketts, John Pule and Iain Sharp.

In conjunction with the evening, the Divine Muses and Auckland University Press teamed up to produce an award for emerging poets, who were current or prior students of The University of Auckland. The competition was judged by AUP senior editor, Anna Hodge.

The competition winners were announced on the evening of National Poetry Day, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have won first prize for my two poems - ’Soft-shelled crab on Fridays’ and ‘Water Buffalo’. Both poems are set to be published later in the year in Takahe, which I am very pleased and excited about – this will be my first appearance in Takahe. In addition to this, Jane Sanders, who was a key player in the organisation of the event, has been incredibly generous and has posted the judge’s report, as well as one of the poems – ‘Water Buffalo’ – along with my author photo and biography on her website. Do head on over and have a read of ‘Water Buffalo’.

I would like to heartily thank both Siobhan Harvey and Jane Sanders for their hard work and encouragment in organising this event and for supporting me since in all poetry matters.