»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #14
»
Homeland
| Open Poetry #14 |
|
Homeland |
|
|
Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704
|
 This water runs thickly over stones and beside the bank the rimu stands taller than the memory of moa. I remember heritage This river: this Waiongoro, sends spirits down with rapids and tiny crayfish excite the hands of children, fishing. I flee eels: sliding out from rocks; precariously balanced, I watch fern fronds exile out past the Ohawe shore, churned in the mouth. This narrowed sky: hard-lit This sky in the South folds isolation: cloaked. The green thread of Aotearoa knits myth, and sanctuary. Inland, I trample gorse and sheep dung, plucking blackberry thorns. A bridge sways me– recalling thistle blossoms, from summer’s lapse. New-bladed, the earth is bridal This ground quivers under the weight of Taranaki: He has seen the kereru’s wing reflected in stream, and heard man on his summit, silent. This is homeland: this, the world’s end . . Notes Rimu - NZ native tree Moa - Extinct native bird - was large and flightless Waiongoro - River where I grew up Ohawe - the beach where I grew up Aotearoa - Maori name for New Zealand Taranaki - the mountain under whose shadow I spent my childhood Kereru - Native wood pigeon with bright plumage [This message has been edited by Severn (edited 06-02-2001).] |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Kamla Mahony - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
no....no one writes like you do....rip away? At what!? no...no one writes like you do.... |
||
Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
What a wonderful childhood, to spend it in this paradise. Thank you for the beautiful writing. Joyce |
||
|
Alan Senior Member
since 2000-09-12
Posts 1499right next door |
This is a colorful picture you have painted. Sounds like a great place to spend a childhood. Wonderful read |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I remember heritage This river: this Waiongoro, sends spirits down with rapids and tiny crayfish excite the hands of children, fishing. I flee eels: sliding out from rocks; precariously balanced, I watch fern fronds exile out past the Ohawe shore, churned in the mouth. This narrowed sky: hard-lit This sky in the South folds isolation: cloaked. The green thread of Aotearoa knits myth, and sanctuary. =========================== stunning imagery K, you take the reader there to this exotic lovely place. thank you for the being our tour guide  Im searchin for my warrior |
||
|
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"Inland, I trample gorse and sheep dung, plucking blackberry thorns. A bridge sways me– recalling thistle blossoms, from summer’s lapse." Incredible imagery Kamla ... what a beautiful journey you've taken me on, thank you for this lovely trip through your world, much enjoyed! Best wishes, /Kit |
||
|
Poeminister Senior Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 1862Regina SK; Canada |
Severn, Beautiful writing...enjoyed this read very much. Poeminister "At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet." -Plato |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
This is lovely.....a lyrical piece about a beautiful place....  |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Oh Kamla...you make me want to travel there and have you as my guide...this is a wonderful look at your home. |
||
|
RMW Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424 |
Severn.....To be emotionally involved in one's homeland.....that is a gift. A wondrous poem. Thanks for sharing. Bob |
||
|
Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
Wonderful, Severn. Enjoyed the tour! Hope you will take us on a few more trips around your place. |
||
|
Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Severn, I have heard it said both by mouth and the printed word, that New Zealand is the most beautiful place in the world. Your words make it so again. Thanks for sharing...gentle smile |
||
|
angelbear Member
since 2001-05-22
Posts 139North East, USA |
Wonderful work here. Leaves me speechless... I can't control |
||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I don't think I have seen a better "Kodak moment" ever of New Zealand Kamla...your words were worth a thousand pictures. Just excellent imagery. ~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them ~*~ |
||
|
brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
K, thanks for taking us all on a tour of your homeland. Beautiful poem, looks like I am getting ever closer to Australia even if it still only through net. "difference between love and comfortis that comfort's more reliable and true |
||
|
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
I've heard so many wonderful things about New Zealand. I've been told that it has the most ideal climate on earth and the beauty is spectacular! Always been a dream of mine to go there...even a white knuckle flyer like me. Great poem and thanks for the lesson at the end defining all the native words. Thanks for sharing! |
||
|
Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Kari: I'm quite humbled by your response you know. Believe me, if I put this in CA (like I may do) it would be well ripped at. LOL. I love your faith in me. Thanks... Joyce: You're welcome! But thank you more for replying...I had freedom in childhood in some ways that many don't experience...for instance I could walk all the way down the river, right to the sea...my back yard was theoretically enormous. Alan: NZ is certainly colourful lol..and what I said to Joyce applies to you - about childhood. Thank you for your reply... JM: You're welcome hon...funny - it is so not exotic to me..I grew up feeling like I didn't have a culture haha...but it is my home and I love it. Thanks! Kit: I'm so glad you enjoyed the journey... now your turn for one on Canada okies? LOL...thanks hon..Poe: Like Kit - I'm glad you enjoyed the journey..thank you so much for commenting... Sharon: Thanks m'friend...in some ways the wilderness is like a song you know... Martie: Well you know you're always welcome wherever I am right? K's guided tours...heh...thanks dear! RMW: Do you think so? I really thought it was only natural. Mind you, this writing was motivated by many factors. Thank you for your words... Krawdad: Thanks! I already have a couple round the place lol. (If you are interested there is one called View of a Lighthouse somewhere in this forum) Thanks for your interest - I appreciate it.. Logan: I have to say that out of my own bias I'm going to agree with you hehe...thank you for reading.. angelbear: to leave someone speechless is one of the greatest compliments I know...thank you... Myst: Thanks hon...hey - come on over and take a few pics yourself lol...hugs...how are you lately anyway? Brian: Smiling in sympathy...I know hon I know...Rem though - NZ and Aus really are nothing alike...heh. (We're better HAHA). Thanks.. ethome: Right now, it's freezing cold and I'm not thinking ideal climate lol. But hey - at least I don't get snowed on! Thanks for your words...and btw - most Americans and Canadians love it. Also - the last three British people I know who have come here haven't left! Haha..and they all came for 'six months only.' at first... Thanks all very much for your replies...  KIt is to do with tree-ferns: |
||
|
Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
very nice, very effective, I felt I was there Kathleen Blake |
||
|
snowpants Member Elite
since 2000-09-16
Posts 2061KS |
This is so beautiful, severn...thank you for sharing the wonder you've experienced while growing up...you are quite lucky to have nature's beauty all around like that! Wonderful images! sp  everytime I close my eyes, |
||
|
Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
Well hon-- you already know I like this... and wish I knew more about it all.. one day we will climb rocks and watch a river flow across black soil into the ocean... Lovely images of your homeland dear. There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar. |
||
|
Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
"New-bladed, the earth is bridal" LOVED this line ... That's it, Michael, we're moving! Linda |
||
|
Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Kathleen: Thanks for reading...I'm glad the poem spoke strongly to you.. snowpants: Thank you In that respect I do feel very lucky..I live in a big city now...and there is still nature everywhere within it.J: One day...thank you sweetheart. Linda: Want to swap? Heh. (Except I'm going to the east of course...hahaha) Thanks hon.. K |
||
Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Kamla, This is lovely, my friend. It makes me want to visit New Zealand someday. Perhaps I can visit you there. Thanks (((hugs)))Michael Proust- |
||
|
Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
This is beautiful hon, your way with words is incredible. One day I WILL see you're homeland, be it in NZ or elsewhere hugs Maree |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Very nice Severn...James |
||
|
Yu Lan Senior Member
since 2000-04-13
Posts 1462New Zealand |
breathtaking, K.. oh this country is so beautiful!! And ok, I admit it, the North Island DOES have some amazing scenery.. Loved this.. -Lynne “One word can be magical. Imagine then, the effect of several words, together..” |
||
|
Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Wow K...that was beautiful I'm not much of a critic, but what's a gorse? Is it supposed to say goose, or is it something else? Your paradise sounds so wonderful....maybe I'll have to visit NZ someday. |
||
|
Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Michael: Thanks m'friend...maybe we can do that boat thing too lol... Mmy: remember what I said - in the next six months you're very welcome to come...hugs...thanks deary. James: thank you! Yu: LOL...that was grudging hehehe...I admit hon - there isn't anything quite like the Milford track...thanks for coming over.. Elizabeth: ROTF! 'A' gorse...no it isn't supposed to be a goose though the idea of trampling one presents its own image of fun  Gorse is a horrible weed...with thorns, its rampant here...I used to have to climb through bushes of it - and blackberry bushes...to get to my bridge...there's a technique where you stand on one part and flatten it - and carefully move the rest away..you do it quickly and then jump and watch it all spring up behind you. I used to come home scratched...lol... K[This message has been edited by Severn (edited 06-04-2001).] |
||
|
kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
wonderful writing...it makes me realise what i have been missing in life and experience some sort of the bliss that must have been enjoyed by you you wait til i grow up..i will come and scare the hell out of you then..wink [This message has been edited by faterider (edited 06-06-2001).] |
||
|
Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
ROTF HAHAHAHA oh you are welcome to...(but I might not be there heheheh...thoughts of which inspired this in me actually...) Thanks FR...wonder where your fate will ride you? K |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
