Poetry. HORSE PLAYING THE ACCORDION is a new volume of poems by author Elizabeth Smither. The poetry gives witty and sincere insight into everyday life, which allows the reader to think about his own seemingly perfunctory experiences in new ways. For example, in the poem "Singing in the rain" she writes, "I am caught at the bus stop like Gene Kelly / only I have an umbrella. Just two days / before I said we miss / all those good experiences: getting drenched / and here is my chance." Elizabeth Smither has written fifteen books of poetry, four novels, and five books of short stories. She was recently named the Te Mata Estate Poet Laureate.

Elizabeth Smither is a librarian, a journalist, and the first woman to hold the New Zealand Poet Laureateship. She is the author of 13 poetry collections, including The Lark Quartet, and an autobiography, The Journal Box. In 2004 she was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to literature.