76. 8000 years ago

When you look into my eyes
I see a hint of desperation
a longingness for me to see
the soul who sits behind your mind

8,000 years ago
beneath the ocean and the waves
you held me tight and tenderly
and made my heart both sink and cry

I was Aphrodite then
and you were the handsome Nerites
who captivated my own heart
and forever to your soul was bound

And ever since that time began
and over a century and then a millenia
have we been born throughout the ages
finally meeting, once again...

52. Daughter of the Ocean

Deep in a dream she visited me
so I sat with the others, down at her feet
Descended from Tangaroa and daughter was she
of Rakataura from the Tainui canoe

Over all does she reign who dwell in the Sea
whether fish, whether taniwha, coral or whale
and here was this woman imparting to me
the story of Waikanae, while I was on leave

There are Waikanae many all over the World
all over the country as well this coast
but this single name links them together
a singular fountain of info and story

This is the place, of "bleeding hearts"
of where the forlorn come to be cured
and where all the healers come near and afar
and offer their love, their hearts and their prayers

This is where journeys end and begin
where waka set sail and people come in
A singular hub on the Wellington coast
for seafarers from the mighty Pacific

It's also the place where spirits were banished
out into the depths of our darkest oceans
Wiremu Ratana sending them there
due to their obstinance and unfounded fears

She takes us all down to the Waikanae shore
but I fear to tread out onto the sand
As I stand on the grass I see weather bombs
black menacing clouds, lightening striking the water

And out of the depths come dark lonely figures
one noticing me and moving towards me
"Get back in that water" I hear myself say
and see it move backwards, out into the wake

A powerful lesson learnt on this day
of the history and meaning in the name of this bay
Of what to look out for before setting sail
of healing or dispelling souls and their pain

7. Strength through love

Lack of compassion filled my heart with fear
forced my eyes shut and made me play nursery rhymes
about god in my ears

Lack of compassion saw nights of terror
endless days filled with worry
and impending horror with the setting of the sun

But love and compassion - that's a different story

Love and compassion now made me laugh and take pity
on shadows that screamed and howled all around me
Love and compassion made me reach out and guide
the lost and forlorn to safety and rest

But love and compassion now give me the strength
to ask - if good or bad, is its actual intent....