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Sunday, 23 February 2020

Sunrise to Sunset - The Manawatu Flows


Sunrise to Sunset - The Manawatu Flows

Born of eastern Ruahine origins,
outback Norsewood way,
a trickling brook in warm morning light,
flowing south and east
picking up trout and inunga
to ride your journey down.

Wending past Dannevirke
and Woodville, many country marae,
towards the west now, deeper,
and more forceful, into the fray
cutting through rough hewn rock
centuries, nay millennia old,
your action relentless until
the sunset glows on your expansive back.

Mighty tributary Pohangina joins forces
at Ashurst, a new span over doubled journeys,
and rocky is your path now, from Manawatu Gorge
unto flat plains and farmland, Whakarongo
the listening post, for Rangitane
in flood you cover and replenish,
past sprawling Palmerston North
two bridges, one old, one modern,
and humanity spills over.

Here I stand at the mouth, near Foxton
you're agape pouring into the sea, driftwood
plastic bottles, and tampons discarded,
I fish the gut that is your belly, whitebait and gurnard
maybe a red cod or two,
seabirds swim and frolic your entity,
as boats roar around,
we all share your east/west unusualness.

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