Poem Eighteen: Tree Worship

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Can you hear the voices

of trees?

The blush of Pōhutukawa flowers.

Blood of warriors. 

We fingerprint and swallow

the white-flowered turbina.

Rise and fall, breach 

of the humpback whale.

Rise and fall, prophecy 

of black billed gulls.

Giant Kauri trees push 

apart the sky.

Whales beach themselves.

This is how we pray.

Splash and dive 

the humpback whale.

Who wears a crown 

of kawakawa leaves?

Movement of water 

through root membranes.

Fire and water.

Earth and ether.

Humpback whales throw

themselves on the beach.

Ask your spirit guides

for help.

Breath

and wave.

The bones of our ancestors

ground into a sacred potion.

Listen for the bellbird’s song

in early morning.

This is the place 

of leaping.

Do you believe the power 

of prayer opens doors?  

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