The Papers Past Poetry Machine

100 poems from the Papers Past collection

With over 100 poems, curated from the Papers Past collection, you never know where you might end up! It could be a boat trip with Katherine Mansfield, in the middle of an earthquake with Alfred Domett, or a long forgotten love story from an everyday kiwi.

Launching this August, the National Library Poetry Machine gives you an unexpected story, printed to take home with you. Pull the lever and prepare to take a journey into Papers Past.

A Little Boy’s Dream

To and fro, to and fro,
In my littl boat I go,
Sailing far across the sea,
All alone—just little me.
And the sea is big and strong,
And the journey very-long,
To and, fro, to and fro,
In my littlo boat I go. ...

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 221, 11 June 1908, Page 5

More about the Poetry Machine

Poems and Papers Past — a blog about poems in Papers Past, includes tips on searching for poetry.

Steampunk poetry-spewing machine celebrates Papers Past — Stuff, 15 August 2022.

Safety measures when you come to the event

Find out about what you need to do when you visit the National Library Wellington for the event.

Safety measures in place for visiting the Library

Stay home if you are sick or feel unwell.