out upon the silky sea a voyage be’ond discovery for out in that unforgiving grave a rock an outcrop once the roiling cauldron heap to melt the earth herself molten dreams roll conjured up from the continental shelf herself and here now cooled and tam’d these days spared the steam ‘don cleared the haze a seeking flock found peace and stayed without a fang ‘r tooth long in sight decided they were done with flight for why bother with a pilot’s trial on cliffs and yonder tuck’n’tail
notes… nah, I am not explaining this one… let it be mystery and fodder for imagination as this was a loose interpretation, of language and creation, on my part, in other news I finally reorganized my YouTube Channel a bit, so check it out if you please, and on Facebook I post things so, all that, if you like what I do, thank you, no, truly, I broadcast out my frequency and hope there are at least a few ears in tune, even if not, at least I am here to do it.. and that is truly enough, remember that.
I have a thing for the Kiwi nation, I find it fascinating from a biological perspective as well as culturally (specifically the Maori people). I have a collection of poems dedicated to this subject (with links and explanations as there are specific aspects of Maori culture/mythology I am directly talking about here)… here is one I wrote more semi-recently however (man time flies)…
“the spirit shore” 6.1.18
a journey starts one completes
diving off from upon the peak
to the homeland
in the sea
glancing back to those alive
“Thrive! Thrive! Thrive!
I will see you again
my brothers –
in due time”
music ? (as if I would forget to proselytize with my musical vibes)
not many people have the balls to attempt this… and too be honest Eric is technically a better player than Jimi (much cleaner note for note) but Jimi was instinct, he was fire (and pure inspire), so to say one is better or not is a bit unfair to both, two different things, I can admire both for different reasons and different feelings.
I will use all the usual cliches… “it spoke to me” “I was inspired” … well, it happens to be true so there goes me being too cool for the room and turning my nose up to convention. For whatever reason the universe decided to drop New Zealand into my mind lap and I am hooked deep. I am not talking about actually loving an inanimate object (because that IS a thing apparently) but more the sheer diversity of the lands (fauna/creatures) and people in somewhere located literally on the other side of the world. Truly it makes you wonder about the universe if most of us will never explore all the nooks in our own country (or state!) let alone this entire tiny dot on the backside of the milky way booty. I am particularly enchanted by the Maori culture (as in most Polynesian cultures it focuses on nature and particularly the oceans). So with all that verbosity spilled here are some NZ inspired poems. I probably will write more but these came in a rash/dash of inspiration so… (notes below the poems explain some of the things I was thinking about as well as links to various mythology/information… you MIGHT have to learn something… I apologize in advance but I seriously have a NZ bug lately…)
DMK note: the fantail is a stunning little beast. They can course correct in mid air due to their (drum roll…) fan tail. Check out this video. Amazing bird.
“tangi” 4/23/18
might I be buried under a pohutukawa tree
and climb the roots
like vines
pulling oddly one by ten
to fool the blind
and so I may fall again
right back into the earth I fled
and roots shall draw out my life
coloring flowers of blood blossoms
to mark the path
and softens the harshest lands
might children play around my spine
elders pray to the north
open minds
DMK Note: lots to play off here, you sort of need to know about the trees and the Maori beliefs. But for me I found it fascinating that the Maori have a specific place where the dead leave the earth to travel back (in spirit) to their homeland. I am specifically referencing certain elements in the story of Tawhaki. The tree itself is also fascinating as it clings to outcrops and can pretty much grow in some extremely harsh environments… I would like to think of myself that way… if I were that brave, one can dream, and I certainly do.
“grounded” 4/23/18
penguins in the forests
foot paths worn with water feet
all these mazes
for children’s sake
their cousins the kiwi
also tired of flight
peck and hunt
upon the ground
all the while
with peculiar gate
and protruding snouts
might they all admire
the kakapo
ranger of the night
another relative
who has forgotten flight
DMK Note: NZ has an amazing diversity of life due to evolutionary forces separating the island from any other lands. The isolation has led to a few very significant flightless birds. The Kiwi of course is quite famous as it gives the nickname for NZ natives themselves. But the Kakapo is this amazing huge night parrot. Unfortunately due to introduced species the Kakapo is nearly wiped out but conservation efforts are in full swing thankfully. Oh yeah… the penguin thing... they live in the forest and make this mad commute every day that rivals my own. Penguins in the forest ! really!
“Te Rerenga Wairua” 5/21/18
fingers of flame
filaments of fire
on timbers
holding onto this plane
corporal limbs
blooming land anemones
from root to branch
extends out to the tide
two bodies collide
ocean mist
in the distance
flowers for passing eyes
one last glimpse
before the dive
DMK note: Cape Reinga (the Maori words are the title of the poem). Literally believed to be the point where souls jump off to return home. I am again referencing the Pohutukawa tree as well here… and the fact that two oceans literally meet off the coast of this amazing place. There is a tree said to be 800 years old just clinging to the coast… I mean, how many more metaphors can you pour into this thing ? Amazing…
Shades of My Garden 