A little local phoolery
/i Little Philosophy and a Lot of Phoolery. By Trevor Ritchie. Published by the author; distributed by Whitcoulls, 1985. 79 pp. $9.95. Trevor Ritchie has an engaging modesty. He calls his collection of verses “a book of rhythmic stories,” concedes in a poetic foreword that “he wasn’t especially bright,” but adds that hopes to bring some delight to his readers. He should succeed, although this is a mixed bag with some of the material likely to appeal most to those who know Ritchie or his family. That means a lot of people. Ritchie is Christchurch born and bred, with strong
links to Banks Peninsula. He is a Justice of the Peace, has been active for 40 years in light opera, and is remembered as a popular tenor soloist. He can raise a smile from unlikely material. In an ode to the bathroom scales, for instance: “Step lightly upon me, with naught but a smile,/ And keep your breath bated, whilst reading my dial.” And on conversation: “And as each voice grew louder,/ And the tension mounted high,/1 wondered why we’d let/ the art of conversation die.” One cannot imagine Trevor Ritchie speaking loudly; his little verses can earn themselves a hearing in other ways.—Literary Editor.
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Press, 29 June 1985, Page 20
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209A little local phoolery Press, 29 June 1985, Page 20
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