cut out the hard core
pile up stalks, bin later.
one, two long lines
mimic Dani before they ran
to stir the marinara
Sally stopped stirring. one, two
chopping board burnt
with a perfect spiral
artfully off-centre.
you are good at mimcry.
last midnight, turning
all your senses
towards the melodic line
lyrics free-floating and filling with colour
then, breathlessly to a stranger
I don’t know this song! just trust
in the song’s soaring
and predictable structure
and in empty soju shotglasses.
tonight, there is no exact process.
work with what you get.
with the way each leaf grew
and in growing, found a new
way to hold a hard heart.
stiff curve insisted smooth
by water, boneless, but there’s still
some give there. take
a limp membrane, veins
like yours, curious hands
packing down rice, mushrooms,
spices, including a mix from Dani’s
chaotic bitch of a mother, we think
there’s paprika in there somewhere
but it makes everything delicious
so have a little faith. Dani’s back,
scooping filling into a little
sausage roll situation, tying
a stray strip of cabbage
to hold the ends. improvising!
Sally folds a samosa, nestles
it right in there, in the white
perfectly-sized baking dish.
like a family of cats, they’ll
hold each other in place.
The Friday Poem is edited by Hera Lindsay Bird. Submissions are now open. Please send up to three poems in a PDF or Word document to info@thespinoff.co.nz
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.
Here’s a snippet from Rebecca K Reilly’s review on The Spinoff: “Peter’s chapters are written in a frantic, piecemeal way, which works with his characterisation as someone with rapidly cycling and racing thoughts that take him to the edge of a breakdown. But on a sentence level, this style of often eschewing articles but never forgoing description leaves a lot of sentences that begin with adjectives, and sound charitably like versions of Salinger’s short story ‘Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes’, and uncharitably, quite Yoda-ish: ‘Damp softness in the crook of her elbow he touches’, ‘Damp his hands and a tingling sensation’, ‘Clean the soles of her feet are’. The descriptive effect is certainly atmospheric, although some readers may have already tired of hearing about the streets of central Dublin, but it’s probably better if you don’t notice the repetitive sentence construction.”
The anticipated sequel to Becky Manawatu’s extraordinary and award-winning first novel, Auē, launched this week. Look out for a stunning review on The Spinoff this weekend.
5 Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden (Viking Press, $38)
Intrigued by the blurb for this new historical fiction release: “It’s 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is well and truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel’s life is as it should be: led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel’s doorstep-as a guest, there to stay for the season…
Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn’t. In response Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house-a spoon, a knife, a bowl-Isabel’ suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to desire – leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva – nor the house in which they live – are what they seem.”
The latest from the author of The Overstory and as full of magic and wonder. Here’s a nubbin from this review in The Guardian: “That Powers is an outstanding writer is hardly news. But with Playground, he proves himself a wizard.”
Maverick writer Megan Dunn’s third book is a triumph. Give the gift of one of New Zealand’s most unique writers to all of the middle-aged mothers and daughters you know. And read Dunn’s essay on writing a mer-moir, right here on The Spinoff.
Good Readers are mostly buzzing over this latest work by powerhouse author Shafak. Like this from Katie B: “There Are Rivers in the Sky is the second book I’ve read by Elif Shafak, and once again I’m impressed with her attention to detail and thoughtful writing style. This story covers multiple timelines including the ancient city of Nineveh, Victorian London, and the more recent 2010s. How are they all connected? Why water, of course.
The story unfolds in a heartbreaking but beautiful way. The characters featured are all struggling for various reasons and it was easy to feel invested in their lives. Clocking in at over 400 pages it does not feel like a long read. The pacing is good because the plot is moving around the different timelines and characters. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a thought-provoking read.”
Gower but in book form. Read this excerpt on The Spinoff about a curious microphone blunder involving former prime minister John Key.
9 Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Jonathan Cape, $38)
The latest brilliant, gripping novel from Kushner is on the fantastic 2024 Booker Shortlist. Excellent chance of winning though suspect it’ll be hard to beat Anne Michaels’ Held.