Wednesday, May 14, 2008
:james norcliffe:
New Zealand poet James Norcliffe is our (’our’ being Massey University) visiting artist at the moment.
I went to hear him read at the Public Library a few nights ago and it was lovely. He is one of those poets who manages to seem both entirely self-assured and yet also entirely modest. He is also very funny.
Of all the poems he shared, I liked this one the most. I especially love the way the title both is and isn’t related to the poem.
the visit of the Dalai Lama
by James Norcliffe
I’ve no idea whether
my uncle is a spiritual man
I only know that life
has battered him
as a fish is battered
and fried him
as a fish is fried
and rubbed salt
into all his wounds
but that when I say
how’s the world
not bad he’ll say not bad
and could be worse
just said with his mouth
looking elsewhere
papering himself
around with a warmth
that could steam windows.
***
