107. Women of Potaka

In Te Pai o Nga Pakanga I wake up in a dream
and see scores of young people crowding around me
Laughing and playing and singing out loud
are the mauri of those who renovated this house

Deep in the wall a large doorway opens
inviting me out and into the night
and as I step through it night changes to day
where three Mareikura are smiling at me

I'm given protection, a great orange python
adorning my head as I kiss all the women
and there I am shown old gardens and plots
belonging to families who lived long ago

But a much deeper lesson is conveyed to me
of a time when great magic was seen on this land
They ask to remind all the ones that they love
of the place of their tupuna whaea of old

* Te Pai o Nga Pakanga (Marae, Potaka, Gisborne)
* Mareikura (Goddess)
* Tupuna Whaea (Grandmothers)

106. The Ark of the Convenant

I find myself sitting by the Ark of the Covenant
mahogany wood gilded with golden leaf
I study the poles running along its top side
and seeing the lid is partially open

Tired and exhausted and slumped very near
a young Hawaiian looks over at me
On his head does he wear a head band of tii
as well as a lei and grass skirt of the same

A man I once knew stands over us both
where words now emerge from his own mouth
They're Catholic, then Protestant, and Church of England
till to my own ears do Pai Marire fall

"You know this prayer" the old fulla says
so Te Kaapo and I now pray together
We lighten the burden carried so long
bringing God's message back to the World