The poets and poetry of Pacific Views

Pacific Views is presented in partnership with the Sydney Environment Institute and PARADISEC, the Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures.

Image: The Seabirds of Bramble Cay 1933, Maizab Kaur, Torres Strait, HP87.1.138

Poet: Craig Santos Perez

Further reading: Praise Song for Oceania

Image: Section pipe of diamond drill on reef platform 1897, Funafuti, Tuvalu, HP90.28.4888

Poet: Fenton Luntunatabua

Further reading: the full text of 'Matagi Mālohi'

Image: Morobe District N.G. - Tami Island - canoe, c.1930-50, Morobe province, Papua New Guinea, HP99.1.528

Poet: Déwé Gorodé

Further reading: Sharing as Custom Provides, Selected Poems of Déwé Gorodé

Image: Nauru Lagoon in centre of island c.1930, HP99.1.1955

Poet: Makiuti Tongia

Further reading: ‘Spirit of the land’ was published in Korero: Poems, Mana Publications, 1977

Image: Eruption of Baluan [Kalamanagunan] 1937, Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, HP.90.28.2470

Poet: Apisai Enos

Further reading: ‘TRUTH’ is from the book High Water, Papua Pocket Poets, 1971

Image: [Island] c.1930, unknown location, HP2008.1.367

Poet: John Kasaipwalova

Further reading: the full text of ‘Sunset tears’

The poem is from the book Hanuabada, Papua Pocket Poets, 1972

Image: The hill ?Tumebu as seen from Tangoa – looking onto the mainland of Santo. Typical raised coral hill 1903, Espiritu Santo, Sanma Province, Vanuatu, HP90.28.2437

Poet: Grace Mera Molisa

Further reading: ‘Black Stone’ was published in Black Stone, Mana Publications, 1983

Image: Navua River, Fiji c.1920, Viti Levu, Western-Central Division, Fiji, HP2008.1.251

Poet: Terisa Siagatonu

Further reading: see the author’s video of ‘Atlas’.

Visit the poet’s website for more poems and information.

Image: ?Kaluiuaa Falls. Ohau c.1920, Kaliuwaʻa, Hau’ula, O’ahu, Hawai’I, HP90.28.2635

Poet: Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osario

Further reading: the full text of ‘Notes on Surviving the End of the world, Again’

Visit the poet’s website for more poems and information

Featured image: China Straits from Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea, 1929. Photographer William J Jackson, Macleay Collections, HP2013.1.2