for tōrea away! the tōrea say, stay away stay away stay! sand whips along this long spit, where a pair of tōrea have built their nest: a tangle of seaweed and two steadfast parents are their defence, two growing shell-encased beings, stealing a moment to be still. takaroa and tāne
combined i. i am almost at the end the month has been full on and until yesterday i did not miss a day i am proud to say i will prioritise my hauora and tonight i must sleep so do not overthink this poem ii. ii are almost there pronounced
this body this body would like to be in five places at once: with a cup of tea, under a weighted blanket, writing a poem on this couch, but also over there, on the other couch, snuggling up to my wife, and also writing a shopping list, and planning for
interior design we have moved the bookshelf and all the books to another room. we have washed the dishes and tidied the room. we have moved all our things to the winter bedroom. we have chopped the fruit and veggies up so now we have more room. Kua whakanekehia te
Talking of Michelangelo No, I have not met Michelangelo. No, I have not counted how many teeth I have to see if I have a fifth upper incisor. I have not visited the Sistine chapel, have not stepped foot in Europe let alone Florence, have not marveled at any huge
fourteen hope is a hope is a metaphor metaphor speak to the cute girl too shy hope is a hope is a simile simile like like am i i am am i hope is a hope is a can’t be can i but she is she will she is
fridge here i stand again before the open ‘frigerator door wondering what i opened it for (it’s beeping at me now as if the egg has lost its yolk) my memory i do deplore i’m staring at the kitchen floor and from the street i hear a roar!
I haven’t written a poem but I did get other stuff done and I’m feeling a bit more hopeful now so that’s a win yeah that’s a win (for me) Rauhina Kohuwai-Banks 22/4/2026, Ōtepoti: toikupu #22
/concrete tile crocodile /tears from Raki from above /reed and read and red and orange /leaves that glisten in autumn rain /cockle heart be warmer /cooler /arms outstretched to plug the gap /stoppage rustle tightrope vote /unanimous but still in vain /lights out soon the moon /is absent but /Mutuwhenua
I did not write tonight I did not write tonight / tonight, I did not write Write, tonight I did not / not write, tonight, I did Did not write, tonight, I / I did not write tonight Rauhina Kohuwai-Banks 19/4/2026, Ōtepoti: toikupu #19
For All Saints’, Ōtepoti ki te Raki, North Dunedin Sitting quietly here with all the Saints, Watching dust spiral through streams of light, I first saw the face of Christ And you, good Ship of the body of Christ, Dwelling for the commemoration of Saints, Dazzling place of truth and