From a Garden in the Antipodes

Evelyn Hayes, the pseudonym of Mary Ursula Bethell, published a book of poems about her love of plants and gardens in 1929.

These poems cemented the reputation of this New Zealand poet, who had an unusual and somewhat unorthodox life. In the verses she describes the life of gardens, those who inhabit them (including a rather mischievous poem about a cat), and the flowers that offered joy and solace. Her work stands at the beginning of modern poetry in Aotearoa.

You can read all the poems in this facsimile online. They offer a witty, poignant and sharp observance of the world.

Read more:

https://www.pridenz.com/queer_history_ursula_bethell_transcript.html