Wordsworth Gabe Atkinson

The weekly challenge invited readers to submit a four-line poem describing some of the benefits or drawbacks of their local area.

John Jones of Otago writes: The rush hour in Waitati/Could be a whole lot worse:/ Three cars, a bike, a motor-home,/ Two lorries and a hearse.

Motueka’s Ellie Henderson: Kaiteriteri: blue dome skies,/Turquoise ocean, red sunrise;/Golden sand in pristine bays, / Freedom campers, mend your ways.

Tim Heath, Auckland: House price explosion/Has caused the erosion/Of social equity in/ The villas of Grey Lynn.

Brian Lintott: Hamilton is an ideal town,/With its lovely river flowing down./ But there’s one thing that spoils its mana:/ It is too close to Akarana.

Poppy Sinclair, Karori: When I moved into Beauchamp St,/Which was named for Katherine’s dad,/ They said her genius would rub off./I suspect that I was had.

Anne Martin, Helensville: Come to north-west Auckland./It’s lovely, but be quick;/It’s rapidly being carpeted/In concrete, glass and brick.

Maureen Young: The trouble with living in Warkworth town/Is that in the holidays we hunker down./Hitting the highway is such a drama/With thousands heading for Matakana.

Central Auckland’s Rex McGregor is the winner this week: Across the road, the church bells chime./I love the morning din./St Matthew’s saves me from the crime/Of ever sleeping in.

For the next contest, send in a brief poem praising, condemning or simply reflecting on the 1970s. You may use any form of poetry; rhyme is optional. Entries, for the prize below, close at noon on Thursday, March 15.

Submissions: wordsworth@listener.co.nz or Wordsworth, NZ Listener, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141. Please include your address.