Poets visit Chch

Press, 15 July 1983, Page 4

Poets visit Chch

Give them an empty street corner and they will recite, say two Polynesian poets now in Christchurch on a national tour.

David Eggleton and John Pule describe themselves as action poets and “voices of urban funk.” “Actually the urban funk part is me rather than John,” said Mr Eggleton. Strongly influenced by American ghetto poets, his poetry has a message and he sees it as social commentary. Music is used as a background to the message that he has for his street corner, hotel, and student audiences. Subjects range from New Zealand society to places and people he knows. “My poetry is quite humorous. I write all sorts of poetry,” he said. In contrast, John Pule’s poetry is about “struggles.” “I am not trying to give people a message, just tell them what is going on — particularly in South Africa, I would really like to help those people — passionate

political protest poetry," said Mr Pule. He believes that his poetry, which mixes romantic tradition with modem, has a “morbid beauty.”

The pair, who teamed up at the beginning of the year to tour with the sponsorship of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and the Youth Initiative Fund, are the first Polynesian poets to tour New Zealand. David Eggleton is part Fijian and John Pule comes from Niue.

“Some people have come to hear us read just to see if we speak English,” he said. Audience response so far has been favourable. “Some people find us a little outrageous but they are usually appreciative,” said Mr Eggleton. It was the response of Auckland audiences last year that prompted the two young poets to tour. Combining satire, comedy, music and serious poetry, the show emphasises performance. The poets have published work separately. Mr Eggle-

ton has had poems printed in “Landfall” and was the 1982 editor of the Auckland University literary magazine. He was also the recipient of a literary fund grant and worked as a critic for an Auckland newspaper. Mr Pule has published three volumes of poetry since leaving school. They plan to continue busking and street readings for the rest of this year, but are unsure of what they will be doing in 1984. “So far we have managed to make a living from our readings so we will carry on as long as we can,” said Mr Eggleton. In Christchurch they will give two readings at the Arts Centre’s centre gallery on Friday and Sunday evenings, at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Polytechnic, Lincoln College, Christchurch Teachers’ College, and Hagley High School.

The next engagement for the poets is the Nelson Festival in August.