Kōtuku Shining Flight

Tara is Kathleen Gallagher's first published book of verse. The twenty-six poems in the collection were written between 1979 and 1986. during this period Kathleen participated in poetry readings and workshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and in Sydney, Melbourne and San Francisco. Alongside this poetry, during this period Kathleen has also written plays for performance in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. "The presentation of these poems is exquisite, the work itself is interesting and image laden, often delicate in style." Fiona Kidman, NZ Listener 09/04/1988. "Kathleen Gallagher is not new to the poetry scene although this is her first published book, a promising collection. The poems illustrate a breaking free from the confines of the city and the return to the freedom of the coastline. Here the poet can feel free at ease with rocks and sea and gulls and at one with tangata whenua, as in the last poem - "I feel heavy with the sounds of tall buildings/ and hills/ hiding the sky/ and long for gulls/ and you/ easy in my heart/ holding my hand/simple as rain/washing the scars/ from my hair." Rangi Faith, The Press 20/7/1988

Christchurch lies on the edge of the Canterbury Plains bounded by the Cashmere Hills the home of Kahukura - Red Cloak of the Sky - to the east and the Southern Alps to the west. Even in the heart of winter, hot winds come and Kahukura rises from the Cashmere Hills and fans out, red hued across the sky, forming the Nor'West Arc. This collection of poetry tells the tale of growing up, living and dreaming here in this place - where twilight burns the sky. "This is New Zealand poetry at its finest. The imagery is strong and violent yet suprisingly beautiful. These poems sound good. They strike a raw nerve." Naomi Edwards, Canta "Kathleen weaves together te ao mauri and her experiences of te ao wairua - giving resonance to the multiple feathers worn by manu kaitiaki kōtuku. Whether you wade in the foreshore or seek the heights of fligth Kathleen's poetic kōtrto will find you whispering āe tika - I understand." Te Awhina Arahanga

"Spare and lovely as a bird in flight, these poems trace a wide arc - of belonging, of braided identities, of the bonds between people. Here the natural world is sharply observed, in delicate and precise language. A poetic memoir of sorts, the work never forgets heart." - Frankie McMillan "This book invites you into stillness. The poems grasp you and hold you in another world. The land, the people, the mist, the rain, the birds - everything has importance, everything here is holy." - Jillian Sullivan