Lost for Words
I desire to kōrero in the language of my tīpuna
Express my mahamaha through te reo
My koro was punished for
Stopping him from teaching it to his tamariki
Te reo my māmā never learnt
I never learnt
Not speaking my own language
Builds the highest barrier between
Who I am and who I want to be.
White girl in a Māori world
Doesn’t hold the knowledge
Looks different
Still I strive to learn the reo
My skills are strengthened
The barrier destroyed
Not until
The walls are gone
And I feel accepted
Knowledgeable
Included
Māori