NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW

I am thrilled that this journal should find its way to me to review, it being the first issue of Australia's first journal devoted to tanka. This is a tremendous event in the history of tanka, especially as Beverley George, a very experienced and well-loved poet, is firmly at the helm as this new ship is launched

As expected, the pages are littered with the names of poets able to produce well-crafted tanka:

	snatches
	of last night's long dream —
	flicker over my cane
	in that other strung-out world
	how I danced, how I ran!

		a warm night
		lightens into morning
		I can see
		the shape of things   just
		not what to do with my life

	beachcombing:
	my mother always said
	housework will wait —
	but treasures at low tide
	are too soon swept away

So many poets have tackled tanka and haiku with little appreciation of the structure and skill needed. This journal demonstrates how tanka should be written and I am sure it will be an invaluable educational resource. Eucalypt is an accomplished and inspired new journal. It is an important addition to the poetry journals of Australia.