Home... a poem by Veronica Farmer

Sitting in the arms of a pohutukawa tree
Her knarled branches soothing me with wisdom
I look across at my home mountain
My arms wrapping my knees
protecting my heart 

Rangitoto
My favorite volcano
I have missed you 

I breathe in the salty air 
and watch a lone sailboat glide across the water
seagulls cawing
sea glistening

There is always a naked toddler 
whatever season here 
squealing in and out of the water's edge

I wipe away salty tears
from my cheeks
So beautiful 
to be back here
without stories
or the weight of anything to do
Just time to see and feel 
everything

The low buzz of a seaplane overhead
draws my eyes up 
and I watch three seagulls dance
weaving in and out of eachother's headwind
I know this story 
and smile to say goodbye to it
feel a new freedom 
a new life to come 

It is good to be here
in my homeland 
cleansing my soul 
in freedom
a smile
and a long slow breath

I may not live here again
​by this mountain
in this body
but it is good to know
such a place exists
if only in my heart

All Rights Reserved Veronica Farmer 2015
www.veronicafarmer.org 

---