While entering accessions into our electronic catalogue, this record caught my eye-
A4023 – Eugene O’Sullivan
1 Correspondence to Eugene O’Sullivan from James K Baxter.
James K Baxter was a poet I remember reading and hearing stories about. For those unfamiliar with him here is some information from Wikipedia-
James Keir Baxter (29 June 1926 – 22 October 1972) was a New Zealand poet and playwright. He was also known as an activist for the preservation of Māori culture. He is one of New Zealand's most well-known and controversial literary figures. He was a prolific writer who produced numerous poems, plays and articles in his short life, and was regarded as the preeminent writer of his generation. He suffered from alcoholism until the late 1950s. He converted to Catholicism and established a controversial commune at Jerusalem, New Zealand, in 1969. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Baxter
The letters to Fr O’Sullivan were written from Jerusalem on the Whanganui river.
Baxter incorporated prayers and poetry into his letters. Here is one from his letter of 14 October 1969
I searched the Zealandia Photograph Collection and found a photograph of his grave.
Thank you for sharing that poem, Keith, a beautiful read.