'The mud line on the shelterbelts is above head height in a monstrous moonscape of grey drying mud smothered on with a giant brush.'

Author Marty Smith writes from her home in the flood-damaged Hawke's Bay.

A story told by a magpie, reviewed by a magpie.

New poetry - actually, she sent it in on Thursday, and we have rushed it to the head of the queue in these dry days of summer - by Hawkes Bay writer Marty Smith.