James K. Baxter : poems / by James K. Baxter ; selected and introduced by Sam Hunt.

Sam Hunt introduces his fifty favourite poems by James K. Baxter.

Introduction / Sam Hunt -- High country weather -- Never no more -- Lament for Barney Flanagan -- By the dry Cardrona -- Sings Clarry -- Turn, turn the capstan -- A rope for Harry Fat -- Evidence at the witch trials -- At Akitio -- For Kevin Ireland -- Elephanta -- The sixties -- Ballad of Calvary Street -- The old owl -- On the death of her body -- At Taieri Mouth -- Hokitika Bill -- Brown bone -- A Takapuna business man considers his son's death in Korea -- On reading Yevtushenko -- East coast journey -- Waipatiki Beach -- Pig Island letters (2) -- Tomcat -- To any young man who hears my verses read in a lecture room -- Ballad of One Tree Hill -- The beach house -- Henley Pub -- from The holy life and death of Concrete Grady. 1. The ballad of Grady's dream. 4. Grady under shock treatment. 7. Grady's epitaph. -- The gunner's lament -- Thoughts of a Remuera housewife -- Divorcee -- from Words to lay a strong ghost. 1. The party. 3. The budgie. 6. The change-over. 9. The rival. 13. The flower. -- Inscription -- To my father in spring -- The communist speaks -- Fitz drives home the Spigot -- Failure -- Letter to Sam Hunt -- Kumara poem -- Jerusalem blues -- The return -- Ferry from Lyttelton -- He waiata mo te kare.

Sam Hunt introduces his fifty favourite poems by James K. Baxter.