Recognition

Recognition

I’m so pleased to be back at Te Waikoropupū Springs
After a year focused on the Environment Court

& you surge, surge, and urge me to rest
& preserve my fragile strength, while I whisper; ‘yes’

& ‘yes’ and ‘yes,’ which is my hearts mantra
Of fidelity to the Life that is far greater than I

Who enlarges me on the in-breath, and blesses me
On the out; & I see the blurred white of a large bird

Smudged low on the waters at the tip of my vision
& wish I’d remembered my glasses because it just might

Be kōtuku, but it’s not; it’s a large black-backed gull
Rising and winging its way towards the platform

& circling the Main Spring; once, twice, thrice
& I see and feel the beat of its wings, and hear its cry

Acknowledging and thanking me, I can hardly believe
This is happening, as he banks, turns and heads out to sea

~
The encounter happened shortly after I returned to Mohua in October 2022 to write this series of sonnets. I remember my sense of wonder and awe as the large gull circled the Main Spring three times and then flew off above the Te Waikoropupū River in the direction of the sea.

One of my learning’s in recent years is that the natural world can come to know and recognise us as we come to know and recognise the natural world.

‘Kōtuku:’ The white heron, known as ‘the rare one’ in Māori mythology.

‘Yes & yes and yes:’ The mantra of surrender and fidelity I have whispered in my heart for over thirty years.