72. Hellhound

A gigantuan dog as big as a man
with the blackest of coats that I've ever seen
Is standing on guard and looking around
until his own eyes look at me and then down

With eyes like the silhouette of a black star
his face seems sad, sullen and shy
"Come here!" I say and beckon towards me
where he makes his way forward and slumps at my feet

It seems my protectors have come from the dark
to help me confront all the things on my path
With a dog on my left, and a cat on my right
I feel more assured going into the Night...

64. Gatekeepers

At the front of the class she laughs and she smiles
inspiring her students as they go through their lessons
and into the evening she waters her garden
and caresses the petals of beautiful flowers

Another one smokes as she kneads the paraoa
but mindful of mokos about her own feet
and as all the manu come back to the trees
she'll run a hot bath and set in for the evening

A young guy sits, a top a beer crate
and tunes his guitar while talking with mates
But as light recedes and his eye sight grows dim
he reckons it's time that he called it a night

As they sleep, as they slumber, as the snore, as they talk
their spirits awaken and take up their charge
To the east, to the west, to the north, or the south
they take their positions to protect and to guard

They let in the Light or bring about Dark
they inspire creation in sound or in dance
They convey the new souls to expectant mums
or carry the mournful to peace or to rest

All of these duties are not without danger
unmentionable forces also at work
But with their stout hearts they will stand and defend
wielding God's power right to the end