Kotuku

The black locust squawked, as I set my sights aloft tipping

my buttery beak at family, taking flight beyond their perches,

from inside Waitangiroto Reserve, adrift our spiritual land of Reinga.

Our forever home. Traditionally our start of a first flight northward.

Less than two hundred goodbyes dispatched in a flash hastily.

Only us single sisters and brothers, wing away north, sporadically.

Our well plotted route cross ocean and land, learning

and nourishment along the way. Eventually my lengthy

dusky feet, come to rest in the rich multi green interlaced

Katikati wetlands;  a-flow with flax, reeds, rushes and water.

I’ve arrived. It’s January. I like that my wing is shouldered

by the emboldened Kaimai hills. I more than benefit from easy

access toward fish and protective undergrowth, displayed over

the ground variously a hundred fold. I’m happy that humans are distant.

Here’s to our significant futures. They’ll be much to share on my return!