Apirana Taylor’s in the cracks of light is a collection that distils poetic expression to its most essential form. Across seventy-three short poems, Taylor demonstrates his mastery of minimalist verse, creating pieces that are compact in structure yet vast in emotional and intellectual depth. This latest collection, his seventh book of poetry and fourth with Canterbury University Press, reaffirms his standing as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most compelling and accessible poets.
Taylor’s poetry has always engaged deeply with both the natural world and the political realities of life in a colonised land. in the cracks of light continues this tradition, illustrating how the personal, the ecological, and the socio-political are inextricably linked. His ability to encapsulate profound truths within the brevity of a few lines makes his work both meditative and urgent. There is a kinetic energy in these poems, a compression of thought and feeling that bursts forth from their concise forms—much like gas expanding within a cylinder to power an engine. His words do not simply sit on the page; they propel the reader into new ways of seeing and understanding.
This collection is also deeply rooted in te taiao, the natural environment, drawing strength from the land, the elements, and the cycles of life. The poems invite the reader to observe the world with fresh eyes, to find resilience in the rhythms of nature, and to engage with both its beauty and its impermanence. Taylor’s work is not just about observation; it is about participation—being fully present in the landscapes of Aotearoa, both physical and cultural. In this way, in the cracks of light serves as both a poetic meditation and a call to awareness.
Taylor’s skill in blending the lyrical with the political is particularly striking. His poetry does not separate the personal from the collective, nor the natural from the historical. Instead, his verses reveal the ongoing impact of colonisation, the resilience of Māori identity, and the importance of connection—to the past, to the land, and to each other. There is a quiet defiance in his work, a refusal to allow history to be erased or voices to be silenced. At the same time, there is an openness, an invitation to reflect and to engage with the truths he lays bare.
Rank
where once the mighty tōtara
grew the rimu the ngaio
and the puka now stand
rank upon rank like soldiers
an army of pines amassed
in the valley and on the hill
soon the man will fell
King Pinus Radiata leaving
a deep gouge on Papatūānuku
Critics have praised Taylor’s ability to create poetry that is simultaneously accessible and profound. The brevity of his poems does not lessen their impact; rather, it heightens their intensity. Each word is carefully chosen, each image honed to its sharpest edge. His language is both spare and expansive, creating spaces for the reader to enter and explore. The effect is one of immersion—his poetry does not dictate meaning but instead invites contemplation, drawing the reader into a shared act of discovery.
Receiving the 2024 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry is a fitting recognition of Taylor’s contribution to New Zealand literature. As a poet, playwright, novelist, storyteller, and educator, his work has reached diverse audiences across generations. His ability to captivate listeners in schools, prisons, and literary festivals alike speaks to the power of his words, both spoken and written. in the cracks of light is a testament to his enduring influence, offering poetry that is at once a source of solace, challenge, and illumination.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Canterbury University Press