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.

The Spinoff Review of Books is brought to you by Unity Books