Chariots

Photo of a sign board on the base of the One Tree Hill. The sign reads, “No buses beyond this point.”

Huffing I walk up;
no chariots to heaven
or volcanic hills.

Promise

Photo of the Rangitoto island in the distance and a small yacht in front of it, as seen from the shore.

The distant island

promise of greener grasses

voyaging in vain

Worship

Photo of Auckland’s One Tree Hill peak in the background and a grassy bush in the foreground, on a partly cloudy day.

Sways a blade of grass
worshipping the mountain peak;
the sun huffs, jealous.

Fenced

Photo of Rangitoto island as seen through some wire fence posts on One Tree Hill.

From behind fence posts
we engage with our nature
too scared to approach.

Guardians

photo of a tall church, just before sunrise

Ancient guardians
towering over traffic—
churches on sidewalks.