The Thursday Poem: ‘The laureate’s last…’ by CK Stead
Every day this week the Spinoff Review of Books is publishing a new poem in the build-up to the Phantom Billstickers national poetry day on Friday. Today: ‘The laureate’s last…’ by CK Stead
The laureate’s last…
His last
was not least
nor yet his best
but shaped for a shoe
his size
and like his sighs
not to last.
The poem marks the final verse CK Stead has written as New Zealand’s poet laureate; and today marks his final day in that exalted role. A new laureate will be announced tomorrow.
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CK Stead
CK Stead is a living legend of New Zealand letters as a poet, novelist, critic, and essayist. His most recent book is Necessary Angel, a novel set in France, and published in 2017. Karl was born in Auckland in 1932.
