About

The woman behind the words

Sharmain Anna Dobson Sharm
Hello, I'm Sharmain Anna Dobson

A storyteller in three keys


I never set out to be three things at once. It happened the way most honest things do — slowly, then all at once. A melody needed words, the words wanted to stand on their own, and the poems eventually grew long enough to become stories.

Today I split my hours between a battered notebook, a piano that's slightly out of tune, and a desk that overlooks the grey-blue weather of the New Zealand coast. The sea, it turns out, is a generous co-writer.

My work lives in the small spaces between people — the things we almost say, the love we carry quietly, the goodbyes we rehearse but never deliver.

Lyricist
Poet
Author
The Craft

Three ways I tell a story


Lyricist

Lyricist

Songs penned for artists across country and gospel — choruses built to be sung in the dark.

Poet

Poet

My poetry explores the depths of human emotion and the beauty of everyday moments.

Author

Author

International Poet.Poetry that explores the hearts of men, woman and children.

Recognition

Honours & milestones


1989

Cosmopolitan Magazine Nominated as one of 5 woman most likely to succeed

1990

Mayors award for work in the underprivileged community

2005

Leading NGO that grew beyond its boundaries

2005

Part of the senior team who oversaw Phagmisa projects who were privileged to care for many orphans.

A poem is a small, brave thing — it admits what we won't.

See the collections
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