Page One - Nick File

Three poems from Auckland Centre member Nick File.

Has Kapiti Gone Away? Shielded from the sun, the island rests behind a cloud Or does he travel out to sea Where Great Whites feed, and porpoise abound. Returning after the rains have fallen, refiilled are oceans vast. Where seagulls fight and call and fishermen’s nets are cast. For today I cannot see Thee, “Kapiti”. Piercing skies and winds avast. Nor its inlets, creeks and shrubbery, hidden behind thy whitened veil. This day and Kupe’s days of yore, like so many clouds drifted past. TeRauparaha here, took many meals, Koura,Kina and Terakihi, with salted sticky mutton-bird, Dressed in pigeon’s downy feathers and sactuary’s misty cloak. Then came the fearful warriors, revenge their venomed intent, Kamate, Kamate, ‘tis death, Kora, Kora, ‘tis life, The Gods decided life, and solid Kapiti smiled, once more, In the salty waters of Waikanae, and the fear filled days of Yore.

             Dedicated to my Dad, with love and gratitude, Nick.

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Cloud daze A cloud from below looks menacing for sure To one up to his ears, in a sudden downpour Yet from way up above in the cotton wool of a mist Is the beauty of a rainbow that so often is missed? And odd doe’s it seem, that the smallest of effort Makes the chest puff and heave, or given to wheeze Like the honesty of work, 2 miles on a track At the end of which, I fall down on my back. Crying for rain or a few drops of dew Anything at all, Lord, or I’ll be fast, at last, In coming to you.
                                Nick
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Little rascals at play At the kindergarden, I spent 3 days The noise unbelievable, I was so amazed, At the control in play and the grafting of teachers Keeping the peace is the order of the day. But having such fun, the children are grand Learning life’s rules, to one day, rule the land. They are tomorrow’s adults, with still so much to grow. And one day will fit in, with God’s celestial plan. Some will live long, others sadly too brief. A lawyer, and a politician, others teachers and a priest. But five minutes of peace, in the staff room, for a drink, Brings back my peace, from the edge of the brink. I like it here, that you see, is what it is, No cunning yet learnt, and time’s a fast whizz, Bring it on, bring it on, the work is a joy, Around the smiles of the children, the girls and the boys, But it was, so terribly hard, not to play with the toys!
                                Nick