Rachel Bush’s distinctive, haunting poems acknowledge the consolations and undoings of thought. In Thought Horses we encounter a speaker who – as she is stepping outside, or googling an old friend, or lying awake too early – is sometimes lifted up, and sometimes overtaken by thought.

We were saddened by the news of Rachel’s death on Wednesday 23 March. Rachel worked with her editor Ashleigh Young on Thought Horses, and we were pleased that she got to hold and read her last book.

We of Victoria University Press are having a celebration of Rachel and her poetry at Vic Books, (Easterfield Building, Gate 4, 1 Kelburn Parade, Wellington) on Tuesday 19 April, 5.30pm–7.30pm. Friends and fans of Rachel will read from Thought Horses plus their personal favourites from her older work. Readers include Bill Manhire, Chris Price, Glenn Colquhoun, Louise Wallace, Dinah Hawken, Louise Wrightson, Rae Varcoe and Jo Randerson. We would love to see you there.

Rachel Bush, 1941–2016.