Photo Credit: Cecelia Kumeroa
First thought: an old smile frames young eyes
Twinkling with a lifetime of scenes
The seen and unseen magics of this place
Her land, her people, her dreams.
Second thought: enveloping embrace
Voluminous hug to hold you whole
Melting your isolation, ice hard
World facade fades in her warm river soul
She was an elder, not just an older wahine
Not only to look up to, but sideways as a friend
Holding moral authority lightly in hand
I look down, she’s lain in a waka at the end
She was here fully, living the river life
Now she’s there fully, the full presence giver
No need to hope she’s still here hovering
Like a puff of spray above life’s river.
Haere rā e hoa, pō marie.