Helen Lowe's Blog, page 96
December 12, 2016
Tuesday Poetry: “from the hill”
from the hill
boats turn
at their moorings,
facing into the wind:
I can see every
shift in the weather
from up here,
she says, standing
at my shoulder —
the boats better
than any
weathervane…
we take our tea
out, onto a deck
made of timber
from old hulks
dredged out
of harbour mud,
she speaks
of the home to
which she does
not return, of the
much younger man
who will not let
her go — nor she him —
turns again to watch
the boats, talks
of a change
in the wind.
(c) Helen Lowe
First published in...
December 11, 2016
More For This Week

Karen McMillan
Last week, Paul Weimer kicked off the “…on Anything, Really” Avid Reader special with his Top 5 Reads of 2016 — and this Thursday it will be Karen McMillan’s turn. If you want to do some prep ahead of time, you can check out Karen’s Top 5 from last year:
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Listicle Love aka “Something Old & Something New…”
Tis the season & lists are bustin’ out all over — including on the “Booknotes Unbound” site where the NZ Book Council team have put together a fab listicle in which folk from throughout the NZ book scene feature three of their favourite reads from 2016:
Booknotes Unbound: The NZ Book Scene’s Favourite Reads of 2016And yep, I too have contributed my wee mite.
December 7, 2016
An Avid Reader Special: Paul Weimer’s Top 5 Reads of 2016
On Monday, I heralded the Season of Lists and the return of my “Avid Reader” guest series (although this year we have an “avid viewer”, too
December 6, 2016
What I’m Reading: “Zero World” by Jason M. Hough
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It came recommended, too, by both Courtney Schafer (of the Shattered Sigil series fame) and Adrian Collins of Grimdark Magazine—and shortly afterward my partner was also urging me to read it.
December 5, 2016
Tuesday Poetry: “Ti”
Ti
Akaroa Heads
Cordyline on a windswept point stark
each frond stabbing
sharp as a taiaha’s blade
defying the elements
facing down the ocean – that vast expanse
conquered first by Kiwa
the far voyaging salt encrusted
sculpted by endless distance
always looking ever longing for land
lying over the next line of horizon –
the darker smudge of blue
lifting to green above the deep swell
the first sighting eyes shaded
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December 4, 2016
Tis The Season — for Lists, Roundups, & All That Jazz
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December 1, 2016
Guest Post: Deborah Sheldon on Worldbuilding for “Devil Dragon”
Deborah Sheldon is a professional writer from Melbourne, Australia. Her short fiction has appeared in well-respected magazines such as Quadrant, Island, Aurealis, Midnight Echo, SQ Mag, and Tincture Journal. Her work is also found in various anthologies. Upcoming titles include the crime-noir novellas, Dark Waters and Ronnie and Rita, the horror collection, Perfect Little Stitches and other stories, and the contemporary crime novel, Garland Cove Heist. Other writing credits incl...
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Poetry: “Driftwood”
Rime of salt on hair and jacket, hands cold
as mist along the water’s edge, hazing
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smudged shadow, pampas fronds dipping
low over ocean-darkened sand, and castaway
wood rolled up onto this solitary shore,
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