Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 35 no. 19. 3rd August 1972
Earthquake Weather:
Earthquake Weather:
are contained in colloquial and often adumbrated impressionist language, which is his testament to awareness. As in Transit lounge, Singapore, Smithyman recalls his U.S. Marine("Hard from the sun's heart sets a flight
a score of phoenix birds, superbly the late citizens
of night.")
"He does not approve or disapprove. He takes part", His verse follows (often abbreviated) through patterns not demands of metre, and Earthquake Weather presents a series of reflections on patterns, on moments, on possible significance, without ever including the dangers of being adamant. These are the musings and cogitations of a man aware of himself and what is around him. Smithyman's is the meticulous gesture.
"I have picked pockets
of several shrouds and more than one
fashion of shroud, for crummiest of crumbs
driest fragments, dust of droppings bone flakes."
"Stones, pavings, columns, the arches
they do not speak to you. Their point is abnegation
of metaphor, but how usefully they have you look
into the character of caring."
but the terser"which asks you to sustain my claim to move
your charity",
"what remains stands literal
not inviting dramatics."
"We communicate, in the reasonant silences
between my words. Also, are your words. "
— Lydia Wevers.