About the book
‘Jacobs’ poetry absorbs the vibrancy of the world about her.’ – Paula Green
Probably this country’s oldest woman poet still publishing, Helen Jacobs is glad to have survived a pandemic and delighted the world continues to offer her things to write about, whether it is the lemons ripening outside her window, the jigsaw junkies in the library or a walk to the shops when she takes the long way to feel some of the joy of the hill walks she once treasured. And there are her memories of Pātea, where she grew up the daughter of a railwayman. While the quickness of her legs may have gone, Helen’s quickness of mind makes A Habit of Writing a delight.
About the author
Helen Jacobs, aged 91, wrote her first poem nearly fifty years ago in response to a TV programme on nuclear war. She adopted the name Helen Jacobs to keep her writing separate from her life as local body politician and environmental activist Elaine Jakobsson. She was mayor of Eastbourne, worked for the Women’s Electoral Lobby and was later appointed to the Planning Tribunal. In 1984 Helen published her first collection of poetry, with five more to come, and became actively involved with the poetry community in Christchurch. She lives in a retirement village with art she has collected over the years and a balcony of pot plants.
Look inside
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