Dunedin poet Michelle Elvy recently launched her poetry collection, Motion Sickness, at various locations including Mosgiel, Christchurch, Invercargill, and Wellington. The book features contributions from several notable poets, including Tim Jones, Vivienne Plumb, and Harry Ricketts.
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The title, while quirky, is reflective of the strong reactions that poetry can evoke. Wyatt draws a parallel to a scene from David Fincher’s film Seven, highlighting how swiftly and intensely we can respond to powerful literature.
Motion Sickness was recognized as a runner-up for the John O’Connor First Book Award and was shortlisted for the Kathleen Grattan Poetry Award in 2025. Elvy begins her collection by drawing from her childhood experiences near water, eventually expanding her focus to encompass the ocean that connects us all.
In 2008, Elvy embarked on a sailing journey that took her across various locations, including Mexico, Hawaii, and Madagascar. Although she does not personally suffer from motion sickness, themes of memory and a world leaning into uncertainty permeate the collection of over 40 poems.
The title poem emerged from a series of “Poetry Dispatches” for Paula Green’s NZ Poetry Shelf. Throughout the collection, Elvy explores feelings of horror, confusion, and momentum, with her poetry unfolding like a map to be navigated.
Though the initial poems are straightforward, they invite deeper analysis. Elvy's sharp observational skills highlight the transformative nature of travel on the mind and heart. The collection culminates in a powerful poem titled “Tomorrow,” which encapsulates the intensity of the emotions conveyed throughout the book. Elvy’s work merits the attention it gathers, as it resonates strongly with readers.