Author(s): Iain Sharp

Poetry

What is your favourite poem? Who is it by? Why do you love it? When do you recite it? How does it make you feel? A poem's ability to create an emotional response is quite remarkable. A favourite poem may capture something everyday and domestic, or try and answer one of life's big questions. Our Favourite Poems is a quite different anthology, because it asks the New Zealand public, 'Which piece of verse moves you the most?' Canvassing the country, New Zealanders are voting for their favourite poem, with the top 100 or so poems being published in this unique new publication. Through the voting, the public will have a hand in the book's creation and will feel a sense of ownership toward it. Promoted through Sunday Star Times, bookstores, schools, and local libraries it will contain accessible poems that refl ect the country's poetic palate, rather than the tastes often contained in highbrow, literary anthologies. Based on a hugely successful British model, Our Favourite Poems gives the opportunity for booksellers to interact with their customers, libraries to engage their members, and for schools to get students thinking about poetry as an enjoyable form of writing and reading. The book will provide a never before seen insight into the country's poetic pulse.