Boulder Writers’ anthology
The Boulders Writers, who launched their third anthology at Live Poets last Thursday: from left, Bev Dollimore, Betty Don, Mona Randall, Toni Watts, Carol Ercolano, Helen McKinlay and Aleida Cahusac. Absent: Penny Challis. Photo: Em Hofstede.
Boulder Writers’ third anthology reflects the Bay’s poetic and literary culture.
In the inestimable words of Winnie the Pooh, “Poetry and Hums aren’t things which you get; they’re things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.”
Here in Golden Bay, Pooh Bear would know that the Mussel Inn was the place to be on the third Thursday of most months.
Live Poets is an established tradition now in its 17th year. The venue is performance-centred. Poets of all ages are welcome to share the spoken word. All sorts of poetry may be heard, ranging from rhyming to free verse to slam, global classics like Kahlil Gibran or New Zealand’s own Janet Frame. Subjects include the usual: love, grief, nature, and with Joe Bell at the helm, count on a topical, often controversial recitation.
Styles of delivery vary. Some have voices that are meek, others’ words rattle off quickly. Both require fine-tune listening. Some have more confident voices, who command attention, like octogenarian Gopal, who, last Thursday treated listeners to his much-hidden dramatic talent, reciting in a black hooded cape under dim light his rendition of The Raven, by Edgar Allen Poe.
Anything goes if it’s related to poetry. Even singer-songwriters like Margaret Bell get up and share their thoughts.
The Mussel Inn is the sort of place that gives people courage to develop their passion for poetry, both in performance and on the page. It’s not just the place though; it’s the people who attend. The crowd’s the thing. A more receptive audience would be difficult to find anywhere.
Last Thursday, a young woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, read her work publicly for the first time. She told listeners she wasn’t sure if it was poetry. It didn’t matter. Her goal is to get up and sing publicly someday and this was her beginning.
One meets all sorts of people at Live Poets, connections and friendships are readily made. There is some membership overlap between Live Poets and the Golden Bay Writers’ Group. Some are also members of The Boulder Writers’ Group, a cluster of poets from Nelson and Golden Bay.
Now numbering 10, these “Golden Girls” have a collective age near 700, give or take 50 years. Some of them, like Mona Randall and Toni Watts, are award-winning poets and short-story writers. Both are well published. Helen McKinlay is perhaps best known for her “Grandma” series of children’s books. Grandma and the All Blacks remains on the bestsellers list.
So it was a hallmark occasion on Thursday when these women launched the Boulder Writers’ third poetry anthology. Each woman presented a sample of her work, including Rangihaeata’s Aleida Cahusac. She read her autobiographical anecdote about cheating in school as a young girl; how, as she was usually copied from, she might ensure she had the correct answers by writing them down on her thigh. All she had to do was lift her skirt a little. You’ll have to buy the book to find out what happened.
Writing poetry has only been in Toni Watts’ life for the past 15 years, although she has written short stories and essays since she was a girl in Kent England. She said, “In school we only memorised and recited the old established poets.
“It was really Live Poets that got me going. I thought it would consist of arty, clever people writing weird stuff that no one could understand. I went one night and discovered people like Mona Randall, Cliff Turley, and Joe Bell reading amusing, accessible stuff and thought, I could do that.” Toni, like others, has also enjoyed the outlying network of people an author meets by association with Live Poets. She says she’s been encouraged by attending workshops with writers like Maria Polglase, Rachel McAlpine, Kate De Goldi, Lloyd Jones and Owen Marshall.
With the tourist season upon us, visitors to The Mussel Inn will have an opportunity to participate in a stimulating exchange of culture.
Pooh Bear says to remember it’s the third Thursday in December. And bring your friends. Around 7.30 pm. You might get to listen to Colllingwood local BJ recite his naughty Christmas poem.
While you’re waiting, why not perk your poetic appetite and pick up a copy of Boulder Writers 3, available for $20 at the Golden Bay Museum and from Page and Blackmore in Nelson, or directly from
Toni Watts (525 7054).
Em Hofstede
