Despite Google and experts, it’s fair to say it caught us off guard – by surprise. There was not a lot of joined up thinking, and early on in the piece, some wondered how such an antique doom could still stalk the land with scythe and skull. Towns slammed their gates, the plague already insideContinue reading “The Contagion”
Author Archives: Victor
The Lifers: Michael Steven
Michael Steven has published his second poetry collection, The Lifers. This is an exceptional book from one of New Zealand’s best poets. I recommend seeking out a copy immediately.
2021 poetry collection
A collection of my poetry has been accepted for publication in 2021 by Otago University Press.
Great South Desert
My poem ‘Great South Desert’ was recently featured in the New Zealand Poetry Society 2019 anthology The Perfect Weight of Blankets at Night. It features many iconic landmarks of the future. Te Ika a Maui and Te Wai Pounamu are amalgamated, welded by the gnarled spine of a metamorphic taniwha who manifested in the GreatContinue reading “Great South Desert”
How good is this?
After I got back from Hawaii, there were fireworks for New Year, then the cricket, not that I’m complaining, it’s always a busy time of year – a family time. I was having a look at the business pages one evening when the wife said look outside at that will ya? To be honest IContinue reading “How good is this?”
UK election 2019 : lumps, bumps and pimples
As the dust settles on another wall collapsing in the crumbling house of parliamentary democracy, this time in the (currently) United Kingdom, there are many interpretations of what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. These range from AI Facebook bots to the new nationalism. The realignment of political forces around strange new faultContinue reading “UK election 2019 : lumps, bumps and pimples”
Phoning it in
I thought hard about publishing this. There’s been enough of a media circus around the publishing of a deeply offensive cartoon already. But this situation is too close to home. I’ve written for this newspaper and know that the journalists and other staff are deeply upset. The cartoon published by the Otago Daily Times wasContinue reading “Phoning it in”
Nix Terra
Antarctic Poetry Exhibition
Join us for the launch of this special exhibition featuring work by twelve international poets, photographs, and photography of the poems taken in Antarctica by Blake Antarctic Ambassador Harry Seagar.
Tuesday 8th October, 6pm (light refreshments served at 5.30pm)
Ground Floor Exhibition Space, Dunedin City Library
30 arguments against the climate strike
The climate has always been changing Greta Thunberg is mentally ill Dinosaurs didn’t drive cars Greta Thunberg is flying back on a plane The world was ending 50 years ago Greta Thunberg should be in school studying It is a plot by the United Nations Greta Thunberg could be having fun like a normal teenagerContinue reading “30 arguments against the climate strike”
Changing Minds: Memories Lost and Found
The (deservedly) winning poem was “Harsh Light” by Elizabeth Brooke-Carr, and I was happy to be a finalist in this interesting new competition.
Part 4: other writers…
A wee profile kindly published by Iona Winter on her blog
Given Words Poetry Competition 2019
My poem Meniscus is published on the Given Words site
Great South Desert commended
The New Zealand Poetry Society are pleased to announce the results of the 2019 International Poetry Competition. With over 1,400 entries, the four judges were delighted at the amount of talented writing that was entered from around the world. OPEN SECTION Judge: Kiri Piahana-Wong1st Place: ‘Alumni Magazine’ by Margaret Moores from Cockle Bay, Auckland. 2nd…Continue reading “Great South Desert commended”
Live poetry in Dunedin
Please join us at Dog With Two Tails cafe at 8pm on 22 May 2019. Readings by feature poets Victor Billot and Richard Reeve, along with MC Ian Loughran.
And if you feel so inclined, please bring one poem of your own (or two very short ones) for our open mic segment!
