Month: November 2020

They gathered for the song,
for the chance to sing in
their own voice, to soar
beyond the ordinary, to
stand in harmony; such
is the wildest dream.

He came, a bedroll and
a cooking pan hoisted on
his shoulder; he was looking
for that peace, a reason to obey
those who said they had
the rule over him.

My city life is waiting
far from this place
we made our own
above Ruataniwha;

I must leave you here
cradled by the ocean,
and make my way in
the company of old
friends to street corner
cafes and towers of
new songs.

Our leaders to the left and to the right
have become children of the darkness;
they talk of wisdom when there is no wisdom,
they trade creed and formula for knowledge,
they cry peace, peace, when there is no peace.

We are accountable to no one,
no higher power, no beating heart;
we take what is not ours to take
and keep for ourselves the bread
that for others was broken.

We build ourselves
in our own image
and declare that the
spirit of life who
brooded over the
waters at the
beginning of time,
shall not touch our
law-bound hearts.

You come through my front door,
in your hand, a paper of law,
you tell me I must think like you,
I can’t say what I know any more,
you say I must be like you.

There are old voices that know me well
and newer whispers breaking through,
I have always sailed on the rising swell,
winds of change talk of something new.