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Uncivil Servant
by Gemma Rowsell
(Number 16 in the ESAW mini series)

Gemma Rowsell’s first published collection of poems. This mini-book is comprised of rhyming poems, primarily sonnets. Gemma uses rhyme, which is often considered a frivolous, shallow style, to discuss subjects ranging from P labs to disability issues; from schizophrenia to the daily grind of working life.  

Gemma Rowsell's poems have been published in Valley Micropress, Bravado, Stylus Poetry Journal (Australia), and Blackmail Press. She moved to Wellington earlier this year. Prior to this she lived in Auckland and Northland. She was born in 1983.  

Sample Poem

Baker sonnet
(for a local bakery assistant)

Employed at New World down on Willis Street
is a handsome and strong-looking young man.
He serves customers delicious baked treats
and decorates cakes and muffins by hand.

Day after day he works painstakingly
to earn the minimal wage he brings in.
Smiley face mud-cakes are his specialty:
mint eyes, Jaffa noses, and white iced grins.
 
Each expression he paints on is unique,
from timidity to crazed happiness.
Some pupils are choc dots, some messy streaks;
every face is beautiful nonetheless.
 
To make cute cakes in which he can take pride
this man has to put other dreams aside.
 

TITLE               Uncivil Servant
AUTHOR         Gemma Rowsell
PUBLISHED    2007
CATEGORY    Poetry. Number 16 in the ESAW mini series.
FORMAT         Paperback
EXTENT           A6, 24 pages
ISBN                1-86942-092-6    978-1-86942-092-5
PRICE              NZ  $5

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