Poet invited to Wellington anthology launch
Bella Van Susteren’s family has organised a fundraising event on Saturday for Bella’s trip to Wellington. Photo: Em Hofstede.
Bella Van Susteren, 9, a student of Motupipi Primary School, doesn’t consider herself a writer. And yet, of the work of thousands of students across the country, Bella’s was one of 20 poems selected for publication in this year’s Anthology of the New Zealand Poetry Society.
Bella’s poem, written as part of a class exercise with teacher Jodie Grant, is entitled What I’ll Put in My Magic Box.
“I thought about the things and if that would be good or not and whether I’d put them in,” Bella said, adding that she was amazed that her poem was chosen. “I don’t really think I write good poetry.” But she does think this opportunity may encourage her to take poetry more seriously.
Her mum, Anna Lakeman, thinks Bella’s poem was well structured and very imaginative.
“I’m proud of my girl. It’s not every day someone gets published.”
Surendra Van Susteren, Bella’s father, said he was actually very surprised when he read her poem.
“She was drawing on all the feelings and sensations, and showed me a side of her I don’t often see. It’s nice to see her describing all the feelings.”
Bella has been invited to read at the launch of the anthology in Wellington, on 5 November, so her parents are organising a fundraising event Saturday at the supermarket, from 9am to 12noon to help offset the costs of the ferry ticket, and they’re hoping for some good community support.
Em Hofstede
