Acceptance

Photo of the crater of a dormant volcano, as seen from the top of the volcano. — Mount Wellington summit, Auckland

Imperfect as life
deep gashes in our landscape
we love and accept

Traffic cones

Photo of a row of road cones by the sidewalk.

Sat on our sidewalks
modern city traffic guards
orange traffic cones

Try

Photo of a weak sun through the branches of a leafless tree.

Winter’s a tough time
we are all doing our best
even the weak sun

Power

Photo of Rangitoto island and the Auckland landscape, as seen from One Tree Hill.

Volcanic island
powerfully destructive
drop in the ocean

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.