Incisive and philosophical, Smith's debut poetry collection, Subterranea, is concerned not so much with painting the natural landscape as with questioning our responsibility for it, as he interrogates the delicate ecological balance and the relevance of cultural geography in the contemporary world.

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Other than the power of his evocative imagery, Smith's work reveals great sensitivity for language, and makes us reflect how hard it is to nail down with satisfaction the history and legacy of the land.

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Through meticulous imagery and a nuanced language, Smith's work interrogates the delicate balance inherent in the natural environment, suggesting the real, lurking ecological threat caused by men, while at the same time conveys his belief in the forgiving, transformative power of nature. For him, the environment is a nourishing source of comfort and constancy, but it is also perpetually changing and renewing itself despite human influence or, at times, interference.