James Fagan Poetry Publications Palmerston North, New Zealand

POEM OF THE MONTH Published in Mindfood Magazine Jan 2025 THE PALMERSTON NORTH CITY LIBRARY This building we have stands half historic Neo-Classical Chicagoesque Once c.m Ross Co. Ltd, Then Milne Chose, DIC and Arthur Barnett Now it has modern trustworthy elements: it is 6498 square metres, with four levels;  The furniture is Wobby Dobby throughout, Within the programmes are well organised. with cultural aesthetics: A young person pony- pranced sideways from a lift. past other patrons. She balances a huge load of books on her arm. Sugar toast soles help her hold balance and equilibrium  A small gaggle of kids follow her to the mezzanine door to leave the building. All are dressed in eclectic clothing The ongoing shifts of items are innovative; with busy assemblage; Touch erudite, curious minds, or bright retinas, A young girl glides up the the stairs, dressed in an upscaled, dazzling outfit paired with pink high heels and  wayfaring sunglasses; She soon returns to the iss...

On leaving the youth hostal       Published Poetry New Zealand Issue 48 The boy maneuvered his pack over a home-made hose reel that lay halfway across the hostel path. Nearby, a tap hung from a pipe on the side of the house where it dripped incessantly. At the letter box he looked at the morning sun and sea, which were set well back, each blue and variegated. Over the city, cranes slewed, raising and lowering their loads as some dog men  stood in steel caps on flexing rusty steel, or balanced on other loads. Some children looked smart in uniforms as they walked close by, with the pedestrian workers who mostly looked fresh on the first morning of the week. To the left, a taxi stopped two doors further down the hill. The driver retrieved luggage from the footpath while the passenger stood looking flustered and annoyed. She stood close to where a tree branch had fallen the  night  before. Its leaves appeared marginally wi...