Mercedes Webb-Pullman
Tipu-tupu-nui-a-uta asked for rain;
torrents fell, floods rose
engulfing hills, mountains.
You turned from Tāne?
Build rafts, or drown.
*
From Elephantiné came granite
for the temple at Sais. One block
took two thousand labourers
three years to move, even hollowed
to make a chamber.
Dropped at the gate, never
moved into place.
*
clouds drift across Taranaki
while I
chop wood
fetch water
