Poets come to praise verse-maker Baxter

Poet and guru James K Baxter

Friday is Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day and two celebrated New Zealand poets will be in Whanganui to recognise the work of James K. Baxter.

Bill Manhire and Glenn Colquhoun will be in town to memorialise Baxter and lend their support to the fundraising effort for a statue in Whanganui.

Wellington-based Manhire has been described as "the father of New Zealand creative writing".

The former Poet Laureate picked up his pen to write at age 6 and never looked back, despite not getting much encouragement.

After establishing himself as a poet and writer he founded Victoria University's International Institute of Modern Letters.

When asked why Baxter's poetry is important and what makes it good, Manhire said he wrote about things that were important to everyone.

"I like him most when I can see his contradictions.

"He's not so interesting to me when he starts preaching, but he's great and totally relatable when he thinks aloud, even argues with himself, as he did in his time at Jerusalem.

"His antennae were always just a bit ahead of the rest of Pakeha society - especially in his vision of what can be learnt from the Maori world."

Glenn Colquhoun is a Levin doctor by day and renegade poet by night, his first poetry collection, The Art of Walking Upright won Best First Book of Poetry at the Montana Book Awards in 2000.

"For these two New Zealand literary giants to lend their support to our project is a real honour," says Guyton Group Trust fundraising co-ordinator Elise Goodge, "Whanganui is in for a real treat this National Poetry Day."

Ms Goodge acknowledged the support of Moore Stephen Markhams who have sponsored the hire of Sarjeant on the Quay for the evening and The Grand Hotel who have offered to supply finger food for the event.

Proceeds from Bill Manhire and Glenn Colquhoun Recite will go towards the Guyton Group Trust's fundraising for a bronze statue of James K. Baxter.

New Zealand National Poetry Day was established in 1997 and the 20th anniversary is being celebrated with poetry events around the country on Friday.

Bill Manhire and Glenn Colquhoun Recite, Friday, August 25, 5.30pm at Sarjeant on the Quay. Tickets for the evening are available from Paige's Book Gallery on the corner of Guyton and Wicksteed Streets for $20, includes wine and nibbles. Guyton Trust's Lesley Stead said tickets have been selling at a pace and she advises poetry fans to get theirs straight away.