Pride of place

This poem was judged the best poem of those submitted in the NZ Poetry Society's annual international competition. The poet feels pleased, proud, gratified and recognised. She wrote the poem in the car while we drove beside the flooded Waikato river; and put the finishing touches to it after we get back home. I am impressed, proud, and delighted.

The poem is the first poem in the anthology, coming straight after the introduction. Seen on the page of the poetry book (approximately A5 size), I see what the editor of the anthology saw, and I had not previously seen. The shape of the poem on the page resembles the shape of New Zealand on a map. That shape was deliberate, although the resemblance was not consciously sought nor recognised at the time of writing. Another part of what makes this poem so good.

Young L came to the apartment with S after school today, saw the anthology and asked about it. So Granny showed him her poem. He read it, including her name and the word First. She told me that he looked at her with delight all over his face and gave her a hug

Pride of place, indeed.