RANGIKURA Poems

Tayi Tibble's strong New Zealand accent may get in the way of clear comprehension of these poems for some listeners, at least until their ears have a chance to adjust. The sprinkling of Maori words adds to the atmosphere of the collection. The works focus--not always literally--on the poet's experiences making her way between her Maori culture and that of the European-descended majority population. The poems are strong, passionate, and often quite moving. However, Tibble delivers every line in much the same way. Not only does this become tedious, it also deprives the poems of their considerable emotional range and undeservedly lessens their impact on listeners. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]