The Friday Poem: ‘Mourning headlines’ by Emma Neale
Photo: Getty
A new poem by Dunedin poet Emma Neale.
Mourning headlines
Taupo bicycle crash victim died doing what he loved—living
Otepoti climbing fall victim died doing what she loved—living
British kayak tourist drowning victims died doing what they loved—living
African neurologist hiking holiday-maker died doing what she loved—living
Syrian child playing chase in the street died doing what he loved—living
Elderly woman making a cup of tea died doing what she loved—living
Middle-aged man in cardiac arrest during increasingly rare sex act (for him) died doing what he loved—living
Semi-successful writer died at battered laptop doing what he loved—living
Heartbroken jilted lover bankrupt chronic pain victim suicided doing what she dreaded—living
Nelson Arts Festival is hosting Pukapuka Talks: The Friday Poem on 25 October, with poets Emma Neale, Tayi Tibble, Chris Tse, and editor of The Friday Poem: 100 New Zealand Poems Steve Braunias, chaired by Cliff Fell. See Nelson Arts Festival for details.
Emma Neale
Emma Neale is the author of six collections of poetry, most recently To the Occupant (2019), and six novels, most recently Billy Bird (2016). Her 2021 short story collection The Pink Jumpsuit was longlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. Emma edited the literary journal Landfall between 2017 and 2021.
