Old friends reunite for an evening of poetry in Rotorua

Ian Rockel read a variety of his poems as part of the Rotorua Poetry Bomb for National Poetry Day. Photo / Stephen Parker

Three old friends and poets came together to perform their works for the first time since 1981 when they were all Rotorua residents.

McLeods Booksellers hosted the annual Poetry Bomb on Saturday, bringing the trio together to celebrate National Poetry Day.

McLeods Booksellers' Mike Byrne said once again the event had been a success and the number of people who came had grown.

This year about 40 people had come to hear the works.

"It gets bigger and better every year, it's a very successful event and poetry is clearly alive and well in Rotorua."

The crowds packed in between the stands of books to listen to the poetry, sharing a laugh and enjoying the variety between the three poets.

Ian Rockel spoke first, sharing poetry for his best friend, his dead sister Josie, and works about his personal experiences.

"Ian has just turned 80 and has been practising poetry all of his life," Byrne said.

"It's an honour to have him here."

He was followed by his close friend Bob Orr, an Auckland based poet.

"He has long been published and celebrated," Byrne said.

"He's less well known but his poems certainly always go down well."

Orr said there was something special about giving readings at McLeods and it had been a great venue for him over the years.

"My first poem is An afternoon in the life of an ant. It describes an ant travelling across the page of my atlas, walking across Mexico."

He also shared humorous poetry about the things he had seen in his local hospice shop and his view on fascist businessmen.

Brian Potiki, part of the Travelling Tuataras, was the third in the group sharing works from his early life as a poet.

"We will take two rounds of three poems each before we take a break for food, wine and mingling, then we shall see where the night takes us," he said.

They took it in turns performing three of their poems each before taking a break for people to mingle, enjoy the snacks and wine.

As part of the Poetry Bomb works by local poets have been installed in the windows of 10 stores around Rotorua and the big screen at Te Aka Mauri.

The works will be on display until September 3.