Poet's work set in stone
The newest addition to the Taylor River Writers’ Walk, written by Mia Lasenby was unveiled in Blenheim on Tuesday. Photo: William Woodworth
A young poet has had her words about an iconic Marlborough river immortalised on stone next to the water which inspired her.
Mia Lasenby from Wairau Valley School has been chosen as the 21st poet to have her work included on Blenheim's Taylor River Writers’ Walk.
Unveiling the poem yesterday, Mia says it was great write about somewhere she loves.
“I have always loved writing because it comes naturally to me, and being able to write about and give my feeling about somewhere I love was a really fun test.
“Being asked by our principal Mrs O’Donnell to represent the school and have my work here forever is awesome.”
The walkway poems started 13 years ago as part of an environment focus at Springlands School. Organiser Cathee Wilks says seeing the blend of environment and writing in action has made a tangible difference.
“That class was so passionate about their local environment after taking part in a water conservation and health workshop.
“After testing the water and were so unhappy with the river’s state, so they wanted to do something that both makes a lasting difference and hits people in their hearts.
“Changes started with the smallest steps, but the community support has been wonderful and here we are 13 years later with the only student-driven Writer’s Walk in the country.”
Mia was joined by her parents Lisa and Andrew Lasenby, MP Stuart Smith, Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor, sponsor Barry Holmwood from Geoffrey T Sowman Funeral Directors and fellow Wairau Valley and Springlands School students.
“Mia is the cream of the crop of our writers and should be very proud”, says Wairau Valley Principal Karen O’Donnell.
“The river is ever changing just like our community, and having these creative outlets are so important for our kids to be able to try new things and find inspiration.”
Barry says supporting a project which highlights Marlborough’s young writing talent is a privilege.
“My wife and I always take walks along the Taylor and love that we see people consistently stop to read the poems along the riverbank.
“We engrave the poems into granite free of charge to show off our local writing talent in a permanent, public, beautiful space - it’s a real privilege to be involved each year.”
Both Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor and MP Stuart Smith remarked how poetry is a uniquely suitable outlet for creativity and expression for the project and the river.
“Poetry is food for the soul - the Writer’s Walk allows both our students to express their relationship with our region, while us readers see the Taylor River through their words, and their eyes and so a huge credit goes to Mia and everyone who contributes each year”, says Stuart.
“I’m thrilled that our Writer’s Walk is organically driven by schools, because our students tell us how important that the health of their local community, environment and waterways are with their words,” agreed Nadine.
“Mia should be very proud of her work and adding her personal touch to this wonderful walk with yet another lovely contribution to a great project.”
Taylor River by Mia Laseby Wairau Valley School
My body flows
over the solid rock-ribbed floor
Wavelets frolic
across my surface
Riverweed clings
to the grassy walls commanding my path
Droplets dart
watery bullets, sparkling
in the late morning sun
Brown-grey shadows
streak my edges
Masking whatever lies beneath my surface
Caddisfly
Crayfish
Small hairy pupa
All dependent on my ebb and flow