No Other Life But This
No Other Life But This was published by Five Islands Press in 2006. It was part of the New Poets series that included Ali Jane Smith, Kate Waterhouse, Ross Gillett, Gita Mammen and Francesca Haig. It's out of print now but there's a poem from the collection below.
'Against a dark night sky, Curnow's poems draw a child's sparkler sketch of who we are. World-wise but not world weary, his poetry possesses an intellectual tenderness; the voice of reason with a heart. With the excitement of a child who can't keep a secret, No Other Life But This takes us on a joyride through the depths of ourselves and those we love.'
- Paul Mitchell
'Against a dark night sky, Curnow's poems draw a child's sparkler sketch of who we are. World-wise but not world weary, his poetry possesses an intellectual tenderness; the voice of reason with a heart. With the excitement of a child who can't keep a secret, No Other Life But This takes us on a joyride through the depths of ourselves and those we love.'
- Paul Mitchell
Vegan Steak
Before mum finally accepted chemo
She served us 'vegan steak'.
She'd tried vitamins and oils
every alternative
from pamphlets with
an Eastern perspective.
The clot stared at us
with broccoli eyes,
potato and tofu
the unwilling mortar.
She called it 'steak' to make it easier for us.
We ate it to make it easier for her.
Before mum finally accepted chemo
She served us 'vegan steak'.
She'd tried vitamins and oils
every alternative
from pamphlets with
an Eastern perspective.
The clot stared at us
with broccoli eyes,
potato and tofu
the unwilling mortar.
She called it 'steak' to make it easier for us.
We ate it to make it easier for her.
