Rules: Write a poem for national poetry month on the topic or form described. Each poem should appear as a separate reply to this thread. The goal is to, at the end of the month have written 30 poems for National Poetry Month. 


Topic 09: Write a poem inspired by a news headline, either from, or about, NZ.


http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/top-10-n...2013121012
 
https://nz.pinterest.com/hrpin3/hilariou...s/?lp=true
 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/76...r-happened
 
 
Form : rhyming (Shock! Horror!)
Line requirements: 8 lines or more

Have fun with this one!

---

SS Wahine


Bad mana, when a ship’s named for a girl
the elders muttered, hunching round the fire.
We brought them on our waka to the new world
but rites appeasing spirits were required.
A woman’s place is on the soil. The face
of England’s Queen should not have graced this ship.
The harbour’s taniwhas protected place
and sent the portrait for a fatal dip.

The Rainbow Warrior

Late July 10th in 1985,
photographer Fernando lost his life
documenting French nuclear testing.
Two inept spies left a bread trail of lies
and inarguable government ties,
rushed through a plan while the crew was resting
and misread the tides for a quick escape.
Suspecting locals reported their plates
combined with fake IDs from Switzerland,
the chief caught up, arresting with a smirk,
they'd stalled for a fake refund from a clerk..
Don't underestimate the people of New Zealand.

Rhyme (I almost never rhyme--with good reason). These prompts introduce me to such interesting people. Here goes:

Queer Quake Drops Church into Sinkhole

Our Cassandra, Brian Tamaki
will prophesy this guarantee:
That those who walk with swishy gait
will shake the Earth and bend the straight.

These seismic terrors take offense
at God’s stern law and governance.
Media witches accuse that hate
will shake the Earth and bend the straight.

The tremors follow to this day,
pale aftershocks of our dismay,
To speak for God, this reprobate
will shake the Earth and bend the straight.

~~

(Source Headline: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9760569...ristchurch)

CRNDL - We were all anti-nuke activists then. Still hurts. Thanks for looking at this.

Todd - masterfull. Did you know about Tamaki, or find him in a search? This is brilliant. I want Kiwis to read it!


George Wilder escapes


It’s early sixties, Kiwi style. Police
have caught a burglar with his stolen cars
(his crimes of passion all are Jaguars,
he steals no other). Style and class, this thief.

He leaves Mt Eden early, by the wall,
swims rivers to throw off the sniffer dogs,
and ‘borrows’ horses, dinghies, fades through fogs,
joins parties searching for him. Soon, in all

the kitchens he breaks into, there’s a note;
‘The best of luck George! Help yourself, it’s yours’
and after eating, cheeky bugger draws
a heart beside the ‘thank you’ that he wrote.

For six long months police resources failed
to catch the man, and fling him back to jail.

If I could
I would

ask Mike Mattar
to make me a hat
to fit my dress
as I paddle through the world
in my shoes

and good luck with the show, golden girls
how nice to be there
to watch peplum and possum
from a different time
maybe 60's maybe 80's
woollen winters
swirling summers
steeped to ankles
in glorious colours
oh today after reading this
I don't want to wear these jeans
a dress would be nice
to swish across puddles
as I rush across

irgenwando wo

but although that peach attire
is festive
is a bit too much

after the headlines
this one stuck in my head
it seems like fun
let the coppers flow in

good luck golden girls!!!


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz-herald-loca...id=1504150&objectid=11929303

Anna - gorgeous! Thanks for taking the time - I didn't know about this man.

(10-09-2017, 01:36 PM)just mercedes Wrote:  Todd - masterfull. Did you know about Tamaki, or find him in a search? This is brilliant. I want Kiwis to read it!

Thanks. If I work it some more I'd look to add more stanzas. It was the first I'd heard of the guy though I've seen the type (Pat Robertson). It seems these types are a plague everywhere.

Kiwi Sandra Costa
 
Former Bunny
of Playboy money:
 
"I smiled a lot. I talked.
I trained girls how to walk.
 
We had to bend backwards.
Bunnies always complained their backs hurt.
 
Do the bunny dip. You only lean back.
I was with the Rat Pack!
 
Hef used to say to me,
'You know, you can do everything,'
 
He gave me the real strength
to get out there and do it."
 
What it meant though,
I think we know.
 

Ouch. Thanks for posting this! Very topical.