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)

70. The God of War

Huge chains hang from trees outside my own window
as though something monsterous is unleashed to the World
A big shadow moves, touches, envelopes me
a giant of a man with the face of an Uncle

Fear dissipates, and love comes to my heart
as he holds me, comforts me, surrounds and protects me
and all of a sudden, I'm on the marae atea
surrounded by Titans from beyond our own World

The words from my mouth now punch and accentuate
to cast off and put down, all these monsters I see
The power of words both forceful and loud
now dance on the ears and the hearts of these Lords

Tumatauenga, the Atua of War
stands behind me and moves me, just like a puppet
My head tilts in derision, my arms wrap the World
while I squat, twist, and jump - beguiling the crowd

And to the back of the whare do I now serve the kai
baked potatoes and sour cream and pizzas with cheese
New lessons I've learnt about things such as pōwhiri
the true nature of man; the fighter - provider...