Te Pō
our tupuna made epic stories
to the stars
but right now
i don’t need stories
i don’t need waiata
and i don’t even need poetry
just
the emptiness of a farm at night
the hum of the milking shed
the stones beneath my bare feet
the cool breeze on my skin
and
wonder
because sometimes
wonder is enough
staring
and turning in circles
again and again
not quite full enough
and i know the world is round
because i see the night doming over me
Tāne’s kete of stars
spilling closer and closer –
and tonight
that’s enough
knowing i’m safe
in the embrace of Ranginui and Papatūānuku
and
i don’t even need to be human
just alive
just
here
Elizabeth Nahu
Year 13
Onslow College
