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Makariri

 

‘It not only gives

me warmth outside but I feel

very warm inside.’

– Kūkupa Tirikatene

 

1.

 

They said this country

would be cold. So cold my arse

would freeze on the seat.

 

2.

 

My husband’s brother

asked me, ‘Why? You have seen the

world. Why choose this place?’

 

3.

 

My sister came to

visit and was horrified.

Bought me two heaters.

 

4.

 

I was never one

to let the weather affect

me. Till Wellington.

 

5.

 

My extremities

suffer the most in winter:

toes born in tropics.

 

6.

 

It took seven years

before I could don a sea

cape of salt and ice.

 

7.

 

It’s hard to believe

this is the same ocean. Oh,

infidum mare.

 

 

 

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