Tara: Cover Artist, David Nepia, Book Artist Robyn Webster

Tara is Kathleen Gallagher's first published book of verse. The twenty-six poems in the collection were written between 1979 and 1986. during this period Kathleen participated in poetry readings and workshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and in Sydney, Melbourne and San Francisco. Alongside this poetry, during this period Kathleen has also written plays for performance in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

'The presentation of these poems is exquisite, the work itself is interesting and image laden, often delicate in style.' Fiona Kidman, NZ Listener 09/04/1988.

'Kathleen Gallagher is not new to the poetry scene although this is her first published book, a promising collection. The poems illustrate a breaking free from the confines of the city and the return to the freedom of the coastline. Here the poet can feel free at ease with rocks and sea and gulls and at one with tangata whenua, as in the last poem - 'I feel heavy with the sounds of tall buildings/ and hills/ hiding the sky/ and long for gulls/ and you/ easy in my heart/ holding my hand/simple as rain/washing the scars/ from my hair.' Rangi Faith, The Press 20/7/1988