By TBHS | Posted: Thursday May 17, 2018
Timaru Boys’ High School was delighted to be able to again host Apirana Taylor, a renowned New Zealand poet, novelist, performer, story-teller, musician and painter.
Apirana Taylor, of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Ruanui descent, has published six collections of poetry, four short story collections, two novels, and three plays. He has also been included in multiple anthologies and has published prolifically in other mediums, including sound and video recordings. He writes for children and the theatre, and is involved in acting and teaching drama. Taylor’s first collection of poetry, Eyes of the Ruru, established his powerful voice among Māori writers.
Apirana’s poetry reading performance to a select group Year 9, 10 and senior students was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. The afternoon saw Apirana present a writing workshop to a smaller group of students, whereby boys write down ideas before continuing to compose a poem. This exercise saw boys thinking creatively in a new way, inspired to continue writing.
Timaru Boys’ High School acknowledges the support of New Zealand Writers in Schools. The following is a sample of what was achieved during the day.
Depression, Depression is more than
Just a word, it’s a raging war inside
Your head, it’s the blood that drips
From your wrist enough to flow a river
Depression leaves you with self-hate and
Blame, it’s what drives you to leave your body
And fly high over mountains in the
Breeze of the wind
Depression lets you hear deaths music and draws
You closer to his grasp.
