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
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