Bio
Lee Fraser lives in Aotearoa New Zealand and her full-time occupations have included field linguist and parent. In 2024 she had 22 pieces accepted for publication, in a fine line, the fib review, Given Words, London Grip, Micro Madness, NZPS Anthology 2024, Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2025, Tarot and elsewhere. She came fourth in the 2024 NZ national poetry slam. leefraserpoetry.com
Lee Fraser
Joy
Based on a Year 1 spelling list
My bed is a jet for my legs.
I hug the cat: my hand is a gift, and her neck is kind.
I take my pen jar and I let my fun all go on the page.
A jam bun makes a bit of wet red land on my lips.
On the bus with you I can see all the way to the bay
I can see the map of the cars
and the homes and the walls and the gates;
I can see up to the birds, like you can, Dad.
When you look at me
when you hop with me
when you run with me
and we do a game or a cake or a chat or a job,
you and me,
I am as tall as the peg bag.
I am as big as the sun.