Turning a blind eye   One-fifty to the gram. The stuff was a rip-off. But not to him. For a dealer, the money is money. It does its job. He shouted an order to keep the coke safe to the figure on the couch. He called this out, and departed. It was safe with Daniel....

What Matters is the Hiss of Powder   Ingredients The first weekend of May Clear slate sky Mulch of leaves deaden footfalls Khaki shadows make mud Tempt the game with a trail of barley Slither into tattered shoots: Maimai made of autumn produce.   Hunting The first soft splash – an explosion Wrought steel and...

The Window   The dog whose every breath will lift And fall like a beating of wings, Lolling like a fat man in an armchair All day will listen to the heat pump humming And stare wide-eyed out the frosted glass Sentry To the world beyond the window   And then little winged beetle, staring...

Only Falling   There is something beautiful that i have to write, but i do not know what it is. i know there are skies melting into oceans to create a song, but i do not know where the sky is.   i only know that i will fly there one day. But for now...

The Green stone   You are so shiny and beautiful. Yet I can not find you. It is like a mystery. I feel like I am getting closer. Yet I am so far away. I will find you eventually. But I can not wait for that day.   by Nikita Ward Paraparaumu College

Being Pakeha   Wha Nuke, Rereke, Tautoku. It’s supposed to be my heritage. I wish I could understand the words printed on the walls of Taraika, But I can only stare. Tutuki, Tapu, Whakaaro. They hold a sacred meaning. The words are alive, I can feel it, Yet they stand meaningless in my mind.  ...

Grace   I think in ten-point turns, walk past myself, blow steam on the windows without drawing pictures.   You say I shouldn’t worry because anyone who can spell onomatopoeia is destined for great things.   I think in lines and boxes. You think in clouds and curlicues. epiphanies and animation.   You say “I...

Note for My Singing Teacher for Frances   But your funeral filled two church halls.   Tom playing for you, still wearing his coat. the school jazz ensemble playing you out like you planned.   i don’t lament over things. i’m not worried about the Swedish haircut or even the incident with the door.  ...

Brother A baby’s cries beating the crack of dawn Heartbeat Heartbeat The yeast of life made an excess of dough to birth every time you grin In dusty days we all hold the small wonders: burning flicks upon thrumming ant traffic steeping in your brain All the way up to the stars and all the...