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A short but sweet poem in the sand. Ken Hutley’s dog Valentino, impatient for a walk. Diane Newcombe at work on her limerick.
Writing poems in the wet sand of Orewa Beach with a stick was something new for the 22 people (aged eight to 82 years) who took part in the inaugural Poetry on the Beach.
The event – a wrap up for National Poetry Day – was held on August 25. It was hosted by the Orewa Writers Group and attracted interest from passers by, who read the poems and talked with the poets.
A $100 prize was up for grabs for the best poem, which will be judged by NZ Book Awards poetry finalist Briar Wood over the next few weeks.
There were several local entries, including Diane Newcombe of Waiwera, who wrote a limerick.
Auckland poet, writer and editor Michael Morrissey, whose first poetry collection was published in 1978, said he came to the event because it sounded like fun. He wrote a new poem Another Poem about Nature on the beach.
The original plan, to have a video of the poems taken by drone was cancelled by the blustery wind but Orewa Writers Group leader Kristin Stock, says the beach poetry was so well received that it will become an annual event for National Poetry Day.
The Orewa Writers Group has around 20 members, including published writers and beginners. Info: www.meetup.com/OrewaWritersGroup/
by Diane Newcombe
I say to you, Tide – Do your worst
And destroy this piece I’ve rehearsed –
Because up with the birds
A drone’s saving these words
So they’ll live after being submersed.
