boxcar interview: new zealand poet: sam sampson

The Australian poet John Kinsella made some interesting points when he coined the term “International regionalism” – how, in respecting the integrity of place, of a region, we are at the same time opening avenues for communication and discourse. That regional identity is enhanced and best preserved by being part of the global community. I believe, as I feel he does, that internationalism, and writing about place specifically, are not mutually exclusive, and major poetry that contains strong regional characteristics is also international in its influence. My interest has always been about a blending of the two.