The Friday Poem: “‘Nothing to Write a Yarn About’” by Brent Kininmont

Aug 14, 2023

A new poem by Tokyo-based poet Brent Kininmont.

What are the working parts of a story?Not this goat you imagine nibbling rockson the trail; the kid not alive on the groundbeside her, eyeballing your father.Then you spy, on the shore below, the samenine families that crowded the jettyto go round this headland the two of youhave nearly crossed. The ferry returnsin 50 minutes. Still time for your dipin that green edge of their blue cove. And forthat fib your father, lying drowsy onthe sand, will tell the couple from Taupō.They might hike back, and will ask ifan eight-year-old would come to any grief.

The Friday Poem is edited by Chris Tse. Submissions are now being accepted until 30 September 2023. Please send no more than three poems in a Word document to [email protected]

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