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Paul Burrell

poet, profile published in BRAT, Summer 2000

There used to be a time in poetry when if you could understand the poem it was no good. It was always something that had to be intellectual—boring! To me poetry should be fun, readily understandable, but with point and purpose for being written.

The greatest accolade a student can pay me is when he/she says: boy, that’s one crazy guy—you’re a clown etc. I’m NOT a normal poet—ask any school I’ve been to.
As well as writing contemplative verse I love writing about the animals, birds, fish and creepy crawlies we share our planet with, the difference being many of my creatures talk and during my performances, I become them. Imagine a worm teaching you about being sun smart, or a mouse and cockroach telling you about sailing on Captain Cook's ship, Endeavour (this is my latest story), or roosters and hens chatting in the farmyard.

My dream is to enchant every school child in New Zealand, give them a love of reading and inspire them to write.