On my way home

The full moon drew me round the bend of the waterfront Each step an affirmation taking my self back to family and food an hour and a half’s walk away This time I stop to sit at Hobson Bay’s steps by the Marina’s cradling arms Just to coalesce undress my resentment and throw each pocket-stored grievance out to sea Wished on a plane in Okahu Bay ‘A speedy recovery for my father and I’ Said I’d wait till it disappeared from the sky. But I got tired. Kept walking and lost it behind Bastion Point’s dark shoulder Tamaki Beach reminded me Of the last time I saw Liz. before her passion took her Too high in dense mountain bush Must’ve been all of twenty then Would’ve had a dozen more years here Had she not fallen Bitterly cold August air can’t be helping heal this tenacious laryngitis trying to tell me what not to say On my way home Caitlin Smith