Te Rauparaha
Waves lick at the rocks, you feel the wind bite
canoes full of ghosts stroke over the sea
Te Rauparaha’s back on the island tonight.
The tohunga said the omens are right
the full moon of autumn reddens the beach
waves lick at the rocks. You feel the wind bite
like a taniwha. Tribes are meeting to fight
for control of the coastline at Kapiti –
Te Rauparaha’s back. On the island tonight
his woman is waiting, hidden from sight
in the cave on the headland. Just out of reach
waves lick at the rocks; you feel the wind bite
at the trees. Her face in dim fire light
flickers with shadows; the future she reads
Te Rauparaha’s. Back on the island tonight
he’ll feast on the fallen, wairua his right
ruling the tribes of Paekakariki.
Waves lick at the rocks, you feel the wind bite
Te Rauparaha’s back on the island tonight.
The River Muse (new site)
