Spirit Of The Land
p. 55 · Read in the full issue
Two poems by Makiuti Tongia
I’M Not Evil
Vow that windows are opened into the rivers of myths *eople tell of me In the past before my Christian banishment was their ally. r oday cobweb minds work late in the night to instil fear into their children r he hills and valleys echo my presence And young minds live the story of me, a beast! n hey travel in hushed groups and I strive to tell them “Vm here, it’s alright Tm not evil . . .” hit no one listens 7 mcli one of them hurries o the safety of their Kainga.
Spirit Of The Land
This land is my home Where the naked mountains caress the sky and the veins of hills run to the sea.
This land is my home Where 111 live alone until my hair grows white and my bones grow old Then I’ll hang my spirit on tree tops To provide a cushion of coolness for children who gather around evening fires.