Author Website
My poem “Tranquil” has been named a finalist in the 2017 Montreal International Poetry Prize.
A panel of judges selected 50 poems from 2200 entries submitted from 70 countries. Five finalists will appear on the site each day for the next 10 days, followed by an announcement of the winner: http://montrealprize.com/
Amy Atkins, host of Blank Verse, interviews me about “meta-poetry”:
http://www.accessmanawatu.co.nz/Shows/Show-Details.aspx?PID=b63cf238-addc-4808-9a8e-5cb766e94df2
My Montreal International Poetry Prize long-listed poem, “Smoke,” is now live and available to read on the Montreal Prize site.
My poem, “Smoke,” has made the 70-poem longest of the Montreal International Poetry Prize, which received about 2,000 entries. The list is here:
http://montrealprize.com/2015-longlist/
Congratulations, as well, to NZ poet Johanna Emeney for making the list.
Harry Ricketts reviewed Native Bird with fellow Hoopla collections Bones in the Octagon (Carolyn McCurdie) and Mr Clean & the Junkie (Jennifer Compton) on Radio NZ’s Nine to Noon. Listen here: http://bit.ly/1FNNjhy
I’m excited to announce the publication of my third poetry collection, Native Bird, with Makaro Press. It officially launches this week with events in Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin as part of Makaro’s Press’s Hoopla Series, alongside excellent collections by Carolyn McCurdie (Bones in the Octagon) and Jennifer Compton (Mr Clean & The Junkie).
About Native Bird
In his third poetry collection, award-winning poet Bryan Walpert—who arrived in New Zealand from the U.S. a decade ago—writes of what it’s been like to be an observer or “birdwatcher” in a land whose physical and cultural geographies he is still learning to name. With his trademark precision and insight, Bryan weaves meditations on the life and songs of birds into his observations on living as a new settler in wind-charged Manawatu. Working at the shifting borders between homes and hearts, prose and poetry, call and song, this is an arresting collection that speaks to us all.
The book is available to purchase online here.
Or if you’re in NZ, come along to one of the three Hoopla Series Launches:
Palmerston North
Thursday, 16 April, 6:30 p.m.
Palmerston North Central Library
Wellington
Sunday 19 April, 4 p.m.
Poetry at the Fringe
The Fringe Bar, Allen Street
See: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poetry-at-the-Fringe/331943986831
Dunedin
Wednesday 22 April, 5:30 p.m.
Dunedin Public Library
My poem “Objective Correlative,” which was a finalist for the Rattle poetry award last year, is featured online today on Rattle:
http://www.rattle.com/poetry/2012/09/objective-correlative-by-bryan-walpert/
I’ve started blogging about life as an American immigrant to New Zealand at The Lazy Gardener, http://nzlazygardener.wordpress.com/
My poem, “Horse Story,” from Etymology, has been featured by Sarah Jane Barnett as a Tuesday Poem. Many thanks, Sarah.
Ephraim’s Eyes, named a Best Book of 2010,
Praise for Ephraim’s Eyes:
“These Stories are extraordinary things.” (Mary McCallum).
“Walpert’s stories jump through matters as diverse as ecology, mycology, super-hero mythology, the role of the olive through history and Buddhism. It’s an impressive collection with stories that resonate with compassion and insight. (Robin Lewis, LeftLion Magazine)
