Birds at Tapeka Beach
 

Let the ochre breasted kingfisher
cry one note from the wooden fence
eyes follow fish in the creek
his mate flies down, sits in the ngaio
watches me on the verandah.

Let the gull’s white feathers call
in the foam as he guards his strip of wet sand
boats sail past islands,
choppy waves crest
his red feet flash like fire.

Let the ruru draw the night to land
from gray pohutakawa’s battered
by gale force winds, canopies slant
into cliff faces.
His voice fills the dark
with wonder.

©Belinda Diepenheim