In New Zealand classical music, the writers of words are routinely hidden from view. If they care so little, why not settle for humming the melody, asks NZ’s inaugural poet laureate, Bill Manhire. I watched the Whānau London Voices concert the other day, and admired the initiative and spirit of the venture, as well as … Read more
On the 40th anniversary of the Erebus disaster, a poem by Bill Manhire. Erebus Voices The Mountain I am here beside my brother, Terror. I am the place of human error. I am beauty and cloud, and I am sorrow; I am tears which you will weep tomorrow. I am the sky and … Read more
Verse by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. From Some Things to Place in a Coffin, by Bill Manhire (Victoria University Press, $30), available at Unity Books. Feature image courtesy of Auckland War … Read more
New verse by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. Thread A new poem. Wow just wow A new poem that no one will forget any time soon. A new poem. I think it’s important. I wrote a new poem. You’ll be amazed at what happened next. It’s all about momentum A new poem #maintainingthebrand A … Read more
New verse – he wrote it on Wednesday, actually – by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. Last words It’s nice out there, says the dying man. Yes, says the doctor, not too bad at all. Bill Manhire, 2017 The Spinoff Review of Books is brought to you by Unity Books.
Who the hell is John Gallas when he’s at home? And is he ever at home? Bill Manhire talks to the elusive, much-travelled New Zealand poet. John Gallas must be New Zealand’s least visible poet. He left the country in 1970, has mostly lived in the UK since then, but is back in New Zealand for extended periods … Read more
New verse by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. From Some Things to Place in a Coffin, the latest book of verse by Bill Manhire (Victoria University Press, $30), available at Unity Books. Feature image … Read more
Bill Manhire’s 2015: a sandwich in Norwich, Utopia, ‘festivals of ideas’, poems in an eggbox, no sleep till Gore, The Stories of Bill Manhire, ‘a fine, chubby baby’. I spent the early months of the year as the UNESCO Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia , sandwiched between Margaret Atwood and Ian Rankin. The … Read more
