A poetry collection of verses about love and longing by New Zealand poet Bernard Gadd. Described by fellow poet Hone Tuwhare as "love poems sensuous, growing crisply and well on that tempting apple tree - each poem a splintered, hard-edged, re-defined ache." Melissa was the first collection of poetry published by Gadd, and as well as garnering literary praise, it was picked up by painter Ralph Hotere who incorporated some verses into his artwork. This edition is a republication of this seminal work, with some bonus material, to mark its 35th anniversary.