Nuhaka, Home of Heart
Image credit: Josephine Raukawa
The karanga was real
I could hear the call from afar
The sweet frequency so soothing
My soul could hear so clearly
‘Nuhaka my moko’, it said
A voice from the energy realm
Gently requesting I go
A home she loved dearly
I trusted the karanga
She orchestrated the stay
And I followed the voice
Baring naked, Nuhaka lay
She felt like home
That safe place a child could play
A blanket of mist a welcoming mat
The stillness of night a sacred lullaby
A korowai of stars
An abundance amount
Sparkled in the night sky
Free of earth light blocks
My body ached to sleep beneath
Fruitful trees of orange, yellow and green
The smell within exuded freshness
The taste excited the tongue
Every bite savoured and felt
The air danced of light
Fruit for the lungs
A treat for the nose
Rongoā for the mind and body
Our nannies so content
Living history books
Sharing their stories with such joy
Be still my soaring heart and flying smiles
Oh, and the Reo
So smooth and interchangeable
Flowing from the tongue like the wind
Caught with the ear like a breath
Whispers of Papatūānuku
Droplets of Nuhaka awa
Tips of Mau-mau kai maunga
Strokes of Takitimu waka
Echoes of Rakaipaaka
Held in Tane-nui-ā-Rangi marae
Falling like autumn leaves on our urupā
Eternal memories
Forever feelings
My aroha for you Nuhaka is insurmountable
Āku mihinui mahana e Kui for the karanga
An experience of light
I never knew I needed