in the seam of a dream I find myself
in the dream of a seam I write
spilling onto the roads of imagined cities

I don’t know about you but poetry in Aotearoa in 2026 is a sizzling simmering dazzling arrival of new books. I keep picking a book from the review stack and find myself electrified nourished challenged utterly in awe with what words can do within and beyond the form and possibilities of a poem.

Thank you for your continued support as readers and writers, and for sharing the POETRY LOVE.

five readings

Poetry Shelf Monday Poem: Myths of the Freedom Campers by David Eggleton

Poetry Shelf Playing Favourites: Anne Kennedy picks Bill Manhire

Poetry Shelf review: Before the Winter Ends by Khadro Mohamed

Poetry Shelf Breathing Room: Puanga by Airini Beautrais

Poetry Shelf celebrates Ariana Tikao’s Pepeha Portal – a review and a reading

an invitation

Poetry Shelf Off the Shelf: I want to start a new series on Poetry Shelf where we pick a beloved New Zealand poetry book from at least a couple of years ago, maybe twenty, maybe fifty, maybe a hundred. A poetry blast from the past. Choose the book. Write one or two paragraphs on why the book has stuck to you. With permission we could even include a poem from it. I will post on the blog.

Please note our Swanson Post Box lobby is closing in the next few days so will advise you soon of our new post box.