Newspaper Article 2014 – Talking to Dad through verse

Talking to dad through verse

Hawke’s Bay poet and teacher Marty Smith will see a decade of hard work rewarded when her debut poetry collection Horse with Hat is launched in Napier this weekend.

Smith said her Wellington launch last week was [a] huge success.

“The setting was perfect, being in a pub, The Thistle Inn, with musical performances, I was thrilled to sell 55 books at the event,” Smith said.

“In Napier, I decided to launch my book at Taradale High School because that’s where I’ve spent half my life, teaching, because I love this school. The event will be in the hall where there will be local entertainment and performances.”

Published by Victoria University Press, Smith’s collection began in 2004 when she did her Masters in Creative Writing at Victoria University.

The poems speak of the effects of World War II on returned servicemen, who rarely talked of their experiences. Growing up, she picked up a few snippets that slipped out during conversations.

“My father was left for dead on the battlefield because of the severity of his head wound, and then went missing for months.”

The poet was drawn to the war stories since childhood, but started asking questions only about 10 years ago. For her, it was a gathering of family history at a very personal level.

“My father died before I could have an adult conversation with him, so in a way, the book is a conversation with him.”

Her poems also grew from a long association with horses.

Book launch, Horse with Hat, March 1, 4pm to 6pm, Taradale High School, Murphy Rd, Napier, free.

Photo caption – Historical journey in verse: Horse with Hat by Napier poet Marty Smith.

Photo caption – Tokens and totems: Marty Smith ponders how humans engage with faith.
PHOTO by John Goodhind.